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Trade in the WAEMU: Developments and Reform Opportunities

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  • Hans Weisfeld
  • Ms. Manuela Goretti

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of trade reform in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) since 1996 and a quantitative assessment of potential effects on trade patterns and tariff revenue of the current reform agenda. Despite evidence of significant trade complementarities within WAEMU, implementation of the union's current trade regime still suffers from persistent non-tariff barriers and administrative weaknesses. Based on an assessment of prospects for further trade integration, the paper also recommends strengthening the implementation of the present tariff union and supports the plan to extend it to all ECOWAS members. Finally, the paper stresses that an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU could bring to the region the political momentum needed to address the weaknesses of the current trade regime, while also underlining the corresponding challenges in terms of trade diversion and tariff revenue losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Weisfeld & Ms. Manuela Goretti, 2008. "Trade in the WAEMU: Developments and Reform Opportunities," IMF Working Papers 2008/068, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2008/068
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Magazzino, Cosimo, 2012. "Revenue and expenditure nexus: A case study of ECOWAS," Economics Discussion Papers 2012-57, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    2. Hinnerk Gnutzmann & Arevik Gnutzmann-Mkrtchyan, 2019. "The silent success of customs unions," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 52(1), pages 178-224, February.
    3. Maïmouna DIAKITE & Jean-François BRUN & Souleymane DIARRA & Nasser ARY TANIMOUNE, 2017. "The effects of tax coordination on the tax revenue mobilization in West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)," Working Papers 201712, CERDI.
    4. Scott W. Hegerty, 2013. "Exchange market pressure, stock prices, and commodity prices in West Africa," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(6), pages 750-765, November.
    5. Mario MANSOUR & Grégoire ROTA-GRAZIOSI, 2013. "Tax coordination, tax competition, and revenue mobilization in the west african economic and monetary union," Working Papers P81, FERDI.
    6. Gilles Duffrenot & Kimiko Sugimoto, 2010. "Pegging the future West African single currency in regard to internal/external competitiveness: a counterfactual analysis," William Davidson Institute Working Papers Series wp974, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan.
    7. Mr. Montfort Mlachila & Mr. Tidiane Kinda, 2011. "The Quest for Higher Growth in the WAEMU Region: The Role of Accelerations and Decelerations," IMF Working Papers 2011/174, International Monetary Fund.

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