African Rural Planning and Development (Planning/Social/Agri) | 22 May 2011
Informal Cross-Border Trade and Regional Integration in ECOWAS: A Contemporary African Perspective
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Abstract
This book reviews the dynamics of informal cross-border trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc in Africa. No empirical data analysis is presented; instead, the book draws on secondary sources including academic journals, government reports, and interviews conducted by researchers specializing in African studies. The review highlights a significant trend of increased informal cross-border transactions involving Libyan merchants engaging with ECOWAS member states’ markets. This phenomenon contributes to economic diversification but also raises concerns over regulatory compliance and tax evasion. Libya’s role as a conduit for informal trade within ECOWAS underscores the need for robust regional governance frameworks that can address both facilitation and regulation of cross-border commerce effectively. The review suggests that ECOWAS should consider developing targeted regulatory policies to support legitimate business operations while also addressing issues related to tax evasion and illicit financial flows.