Sub-Saharan Africa: The Challenge of Integration into the Global Trading System

Abstract

AbstractDeveloping countries that are integrating quickly into the global trading system are among the fastest growing economies in the world. The impressive economic growth combined with significant reduction in poverty levels in recent years in China and India seem to demonstrate that increased international integration has the potential to spur growth capable of reducing poverty levels in poor countries. In contrast Sub-Saharan Africa appears to have been marginalized. The textile and apparel industry provides ample illustration of the daunting problems that make it difficult for countries in the region to successively engage in the global economy. Being unable to take advantage of the global market economy to promote economic growth and poverty reduction, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to rely on official development assistance (ODA) from rich nations. The challenge for Sub-Saharan Africa is to help spur economic growth by becoming well integrated into the global economy in order to share more fairly in its benefits.