Table 1

Some empirical work on the AfCFTA

AuthorsMethodologyThemeResults
Abrego et al. (2019) MEGCThe African Continental Free Trade Agreement: Welfare gain estimates from a general equilibrium modelThe findings of Abrego et al. (2019) reveal significant potential gains in trade and welfare from trade liberalization in Africa
Geda and Yimer (2023) Trade indices and gravity modelThe trade effects of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): an empirical analysisBoth authors found in their results with the index that the AfCFTA Agreement could have limited effects in terms of trade creation and a strong possibility of trade detour. On the other hand, the model results note a real trade potential for the AfCFTA. When the two methods are combined, the AfCFTA may boost intra-African trade (exports) by US$72.7 billion on average annually between 2015 and 2017. However, given the results based on trade indices, this positive result should be taken with caution
Masunda (2020) Gravity modelThe implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for intra-COMESA tradeThe author has found that the AfCFTA has potential for trade in the COMESA region. Above all, the study shows that it has great potential for the region’s exports
Charles (2021) Gravity modelContinental African Free Trade Area: Does Côte d'Ivoire have commercial potential?Charles’s results reveal significant trade potential for Côte d'Ivoire in Africa, in at least 25 countries. These include 8 countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Bayale et al. (2022) WITS-SMART simulation modelPotential trade, welfare and income implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Ghana: an application of the partial equilibrium modelThe authors conclude that while consumer welfare will improve, total trade effects in Ghana are expected to rise by US$148.3 million. However, the nation may soon face revenue losses of $8.604 million due to a decline in tariff revenues
Chauvin et al. (2016) CGE modelImpacts of the AfCFTA on trade, growth and well-being in AfricaAccording to the authors, trade patterns inside and between African nations as well as between different sectors would shift asymmetrically as a result of the AfCFTA. Additionally, they discover that while the long-term effects of the AfCFTA are largely favorable, the short-term effects are typically fairly minimal
World Bank (2020) CGE modelDistributional effects of the AfCFTA on poverty and employmentThis World Bank report states that the AfCFTA’s adoption would result in a net rise in the number of workers in the energy-intensive manufacturing sector, as well as an increase in job prospects and earnings for unskilled workers and a reduction in the gender wage gap

Source(s): Authors

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal