The European communities' single market

Abstract

This report analyzes the impact of the completion of the European Community's (EC) Internal Market on sub saharan African (SSA) countries. Economic size, geographic propinquity and historical ties with EC members help to explain why more than half of SSA's trade is with the EC12. The completion of the EC's Single Market will have few irreversible or major effects on SSA, whether positive or negative. Many of the issues covered by the EC-92 Program are of no direct concern to SSA exporters or consumers. The actions of the African governments themselves will be crucial in determining their ability to take advantage of the positive elements of EC-92 and in minimizing the damage deriving from the negative effects on their economies. There is little doubt the Single European Act and the process of integrating the EC-12 has led to higher economic growth expectations in Europe. This more rapid growth will lead to a greater demand for imports. Unfortunately, the past delinking of most SSA countries from the global economy means it would be difficult to expect such a growth dividend to play any part in SSA exports unless the African countries themselves make a determined effort to make their economies more outward-oriented. The greater dependence of SSA countries on primary commodities, with their relatively lower income elasticities, means their share of the trade to this more buoyant market may not rise rapidly.