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Abstract

Harnessing the existing intra-regional trade potentials, trade intensity, and extent of trade complementarity in a region are important for gaining from Regional Trade  Agreements (RTAs). This study estimated the implications of intra-African export potentials, export intensity and complementarity on regional trade integration. This was achieved with augmented gravity model, export intensity and complementarity indices. The results imply the existence of a great potential for intra-African export, greater intra-African export intensity and significant intra-African trade complementary that supports the "natural trading partners" hypothesis. Thus, maximising the opportunities from intra-African trade potential towards optimal regional trade integration requires African countries to strengthen needed infrastructural facilities to minimise logistic cost of trade, promote industrial competitiveness, and improve on the ease of doing business.

Basiru Oyeniran Fatai Ph.D

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