Beyond Tariffs and Quotas: Why Do African Manufacturers Not Export More?

• Published in: Emerging markets finance & trade Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 44 - 64
• Main Author: Clarke, George R. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01-03-2009; M. E. Sharpe, Inc; M.E. Sharpe, Inc; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Series: Emerging Markets Finance and Trade
• Subjects: Africa; Coefficients; Customs administration; Customs regulations; Export managers; Export-import trade; Exporters; Exports; Manufacturers; Manufacturing; Productivity; Regulation; Sales management; Statistical significance; Studies; Tariff; Trade regulations; Trade restrictions; World Bank; Africa
• ISSN: 1540-496X; 1558-0938
• DOI: 10.2753/REE1540-496X450203

Africa's export performance has been extremely poor in recent years. Its share of world exports has declined and most countries are highly dependent on a narrow range of primary commodities for export earnings. This paper looks at factors that affect the export performance of manufacturing enterprises in eight African countries. In addition to enterprise characteristics (e.g., size, ownership, and education of the manager), policy-related variables also affect exporting. Manufacturing enterprises are less likely to export in countries with restrictive trade and customs regulations and poor customs administration.