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Regional Developmentalism in West Africa: The Case for Commodity-based Industrialization through Regional Cooperation in the Cocoa—Chocolate Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan Bashi Rudahindwa

    (London School of Economics
    University of Cape Town)

  • Sophie Huellen

    (University of Manchester
    SOAS University of London)

Abstract

Regional integration occupies a prominent place in the economic policies of most sub-Saharan African countries. However, despite different waves of initiatives across the African continent, the majority of African regional schemes have not managed to achieve their ambitious goal of promoting sustainable development through trade integration in Africa. In light of this observation and using the West African cocoa—chocolate sector as a case study, we propose the regional developmentalism paradigm as an alternative approach to regionalism in Africa. Regional developmentalism places a particular emphasis on the use of regional and subregional approaches to development. Instead of full-fledged trade liberalization and indiscriminate economic integration, the regional developmentalism paradigm advocates for state-led trade facilitation, regulatory convergence, and capacity-building by adopting policies directed at strategic sectors. We evaluate the potential of the regional developmentalism paradigm to promote economic transformation and commodity-based industrialization against the shortcomings of the current regional integration approach embodied in the institutional framework of the Economic Community of West African States.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Bashi Rudahindwa & Sophie Huellen, 2021. "Regional Developmentalism in West Africa: The Case for Commodity-based Industrialization through Regional Cooperation in the Cocoa—Chocolate Sector," Journal of African Trade, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 82-95, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jouafr:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.2991_jat.k.211130.001
    DOI: 10.2991/jat.k.211130.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cocoa; development; developmental state; ECOWAS; industrialization; regional integration; West Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • K33 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - International Law
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy

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