Regional Economic Integration in West Africa (Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development)

This book presents a number of key studies pertaining to the most pressing challenges of economic regional integration in West Africa. The issues of monetary coordination, foreign exchange volatility, taxation, savings and macroeconomic convergence are investigated from a regional perspective. The characteristics of West Africa’s trade policy are reviewed and assessed in comparison to that of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The extent to which regional integration can tackle the challenge of unemployment is the focus of studies on labour markets. Development of the private sector and coordination of regional cross-border transportation are examined through the lens of economic collaboration between Arab and African countries. The book provides fresh new answers to persistent development questions and sheds new light on long-held views that are either incomplete or no longer true. It also opens new perspectives on the search for sustainable avenues for Africa’s development. In this regard, it may contribute to the emergence of a new paradigm on Africa’s development process and its science-based, policy-oriented implementation. This book presents a number of key studies pertaining to the most pressing challenges of economic regional integration in West Africa. The issues of monetary coordination, foreign exchange volatility, taxation, savings and macroeconomic convergence are investigated from a regional perspective. The characteristics of West Africa's trade policy are reviewed and assessed in comparison to those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The extent to which regional integration can tackle the challenge of unemployment is the focus of studies on labour markets. Development of the private sector and coordination of regional cross-border transportation are examined through the lens of economic collaboration between Arab and African countries. The book provides fresh new answers to persistent development questions and sheds new light on long-held views that are either incomplete or no longer true. It also opens new perspectives on the search for sustainable avenues for Africa's development. In this regard, it may contribute to the emergence of a new paradigm on Africa's development process and its science-based, policy-oriented implementation Front Matter....Pages i-xii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Arab States and Sub-Saharan Africa: An Agenda for Growth-Inducing Collaboration....Pages 3-28 Policy Recipe for Fostering Regional Integration Through Infrastructure Development and Coordination in West Africa....Pages 29-56 Front Matter....Pages 57-57 Policy Coordination Framework for the Proposed Monetary Union in ECOWAS....Pages 59-77 Do African Monetary Arrangements Make Sense? Evidence Based on Structural Symmetry....Pages 79-100 Real Exchange Rate Volatility and Export Performance in the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ)....Pages 101-135 Tax Effort in ECOWAS Countries....Pages 137-158 Heterogeneity of Saving-Investment Causality in Waemu Zone and Fiscal Coordination Implication....Pages 159-178 Front Matter....Pages 179-179 Determinants of a Successful Regional Trade Agreement in West Africa....Pages 181-211 Regional Integration: Comparison Between SADC and ECOWAS....Pages 213-252 Terrorism and Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of the CFA Franc Zone....Pages 253-267 This text presents key studies regarding the challenges of economic regional integration in West Africa. It provides fresh answers to persistent development questions and opens new perspectives on the search for sustainable avenues for Africa's development