The European Union–West Africa Economic Partnership Agreement: Small impact and new questions
Language
EN
Article de revue
This item was published in
Journal of International Trade and Economic Development. 2018, vol. 27, n° 1, p. 25-53
English Abstract
Despite recent modifications, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and West African (WA) countries is still being criticized for its potential detrimental effects on WA countries. This ...Read more >
Despite recent modifications, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and West African (WA) countries is still being criticized for its potential detrimental effects on WA countries. This paper provides updated evidence on the impact of the EPA on these countries. A dynamic multi-country, multi-sector computable general equilibrium trade model with modeling of the dual–dual economy and with a consistent tariff aggregator is used to simulate a series of new scenarios that include updated information on the agreement. We also go beyond estimating macro-level economic effects to analyze the impacts on poverty. The policy simulation results show that the implementation of the EPA between the EU and WA countries would have marginal but positive impacts on Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire and negative impacts on Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. The impact on poverty indicators in Ghana and Nigeria would be marginal. From the perspective of WA countries, this study supports the view that recent EU concessions are not sufficient and that domestic fiscal reforms are needed in WA countries themselves.Read less <
English Keywords
Cote d'Ivoire
Togo
Nigeria
Burkina Faso
international trade
Senegal
computable general equilibrium analysis
computable general equilibrium model
economic relations
Benin [West Africa]
dual–dual model
European Union
fiscal reform
Ghana
partnership approach
Regional trade agreements
trade agreement