Sub-Saharan Africa Economics

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how world trade policies have caused a marginalization in global trade in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) economies. The paper begins by examining the official World Trade Organization (WTO) and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) economic policies with regard to SSA. Next, the paper examines the implications of world trade policies. Then the paper discusses how foreign aid, whether in the form of charitable aid or foreign investment in SSA economies, impacts the production capability of SSA countries. Finally, the paper examines the progress made by SSA nations, the developed world, WTO, and GATT to assist SSA nations in their efforts to fairly share in the global economy. After discussing the cause of the economic problems faced by SSA countries as a result of world trade policies, the paper then proposes several solutions to those problems. The paper suggests ways that the developed world can help SSA nations take their places in the global economy. More importantly, the paper suggests ways in which the SSA nations can take control of their developing economies and become competitive in the global market. Finally, the writer maintains that diversifying the economic base for individual SSA nations, as well at the region in general, should lead to greater economic stability and competitiveness.

Contents:
Introduction
Discussion
Poverty in SSA
Official WTO Policy
Economic Subsidies
Tariffs
Non-tariff Barriers to Trade
Dumping
Foreign Aid
The Downside of Trade Liberalization
HIV/AIDS
Progress
Recommendations
Conclusions
References

From the Paper:

"Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the global economy is aware that SSA countries, despite their abundant human and natural resources, have not taken a competitive position in the global economy. While the casual observer may believe that SSA's failure to be competitive in the global economy is a result of the interior workings of the economies of those SSA nations, even a cursory investigation into world trade policies quickly reveals a bias against the growth of economies. For example, many of the trade policies established by the WTO under GATT guidelines inhibit true economic growth in SSA economies. Furthermore, those trade policies have helped shape the economic infrastructure of SSA nations, in such a manner that those countries actually maintain policies that inhibit their own economic growth."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anderson, Kim and Shunli Yao, 2001, How Can South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Gain From the Next WTO Round? Retrieved February 20, 2006, from www.eaber.org
• Dee, Phillipa, 2001, Trade in Services. Retrieved February 20, 2006, fromhttp://www.iadb.org/INT/Trade/1_english/4_SpecialInfo/Conference/2002/a_Nov601-ImpactsTradeLiberalization/Washington%20Trade%20in%20Services.pdf#search='francois%20wooten%20trade%20in%20international%20transport%20services'
• Dembele, Demba Moussa, 2000, Trade Liberalisation Accentuating Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Retrieved February 22, 2006, from http://www.southcentre.org/info/southbulletin/bulletin13/southbullletin13web-04.htm
• Dupasquier, Chantal and Patrick N. Osakwe, 2004, Economic and Statistical Analyses of TradeCapacity Building in Sub-Saharan Africa. Retrieved February 21, 2006, from http://www.uneca.org/atpc/Economic%20and%20Statistical%20Analyses_Osakwe.pdf#search='GATT%20SubSaharan%20Africa'
• Grey, Rodney de C., 2000, The Relationship Between Anti-Dumping Policy and Competition. Retrieved February 22, 2006, from http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/itcdtsb10_en.pdf

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