Trade Openness and Total Sector Productivity in Zimbabwe: Empirical Analysis Using ARDL and Granger Casuality Approach

This study explores the relationship between trade openness and total sector productivity in Zimbabwe using the ARDL and Granger Casuality Approach covering the period 1990 to 2023. The bulk of economic literature do point out that trade openness is a potent catalyst for national development and productivity. Economic literature further provide evidence of the short- and long-term connections between trade openness and economic growth. Given that most nations now desire to generate wealth through international commerce and transfer technology, this study tackles significant issues about the relationship between trade openness and total sectorial productivity. The research findings indicate that trade openness and total sectoral productivity had a positive long-term association. The research also revealed that total sectoral productively is significantly related to inflation, exchange rate, unemployment and labour rate. Therefore, this paper recommends that policy makers and government negotiators in Zimbabwe should put policies that promote openness through the removal of trade barriers and export encouragement into effect in order to increase overall economic growth. In conclusion, some of the trade barriers that are deterring trade openness and productivity are solved if government of Zimbabwe implements a vibrant economy to boost productivity.