Regional integration, trade and competitiveness

10 years after its diagnosis on the state of integration in its various aspects, FERDI continues to be actively involved in both theoretical and technical work intended to guide the action of community institutions.

FERDI's studies and research are carried out in close partnership with the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and other regional African institutions.

In particular, the foundation examines the competitiveness and development in international trade within regional unions and free-trade zones.

Objectives

↪ Analysing the sustainable competitiveness and capacity of African countries to integrate into the global economy. 

↪ Contributing to the analyses conducted by the WAEMU and CEMAC Commissions. 

↪ Assessing the impact of trade measures in developing countries and their link to the environment.

Achievements 2023-2024

FERDI has signed partnership agreements with WAEMU and CEMAC. For WAEMU, five areas of work are being implemented: tax potential and green taxation, monitoring the economic vulnerability of WAEMU countries, the digital economy, agricultural modernization policies, and youth employment policies. The work program under the agreement with CEMAC includes support for the launch of the Observatory of the Business Climate of CEMAC, deepening issues related to multilateral surveillance, and consolidating the conclusions of the University of Excellence study.

Two studies have been carried out on competitiveness in the WAEMU zone. The first examines non-price competitiveness in WAEMU, and the second focuses on structural transformation in WAEMU. Patrick Plane, the author of these studies, provides valuable insights to guide strategic decisions in the region.

Several articles on the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement have been published in peer-reviewed journals and blogs. Jaime de Melo, the author, argues that implementing the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement would significantly complement the tariff reduction program of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Training

Publications
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Data
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Events
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Blogs

Press review