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Special economic zones in Southern Africa: Is success influenced by design attributes?

Author

Listed:
  • Cornelius Dube
  • Wellington Matsika
  • Gamuchirai Chiwunze

Abstract

Special economic zones (SEZs) in Africa are generally regarded as underperforming relative to their peers in the rest of the world. This study focuses on the design features of the SEZ in Africa that may help explain this underperformance. Literature was reviewed to identify the key design attributes of SEZ programmes that could enhance their success. A case study of six Southern African countries—Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—is then used to assess if these countries' SEZ programmes meet the ideal design features.

Suggested Citation

  • Cornelius Dube & Wellington Matsika & Gamuchirai Chiwunze, 2020. "Special economic zones in Southern Africa: Is success influenced by design attributes?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-61, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2020-61
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Jed Kolko & David Neumark, 2010. "Do some enterprise zones create jobs?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 5-38.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tigere Muringa & Elvin Shava, 2025. "Management Practices and Policy Frameworks for Effective Special Economic Zones: A Comparative Content Analysis of South Africa and China," RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2026 0527, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    2. Neva Makgetla, 2021. "Learning from experience: Special Economic Zones in Southern Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-124, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Christian von Haldenwang & Gibson Chigumira & Erinah Chipumho & Chifundo Mchowa, 2025. "Tax expenditures and the fiscal contract in Zimbabwe," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2025-108, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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