International trade statistics for Africa

Abstract

International trade statistics are essential not only for efficient customs administration but for economic planning as well. The importance of external trade in African affairs has been grown over the years and has indeed assumed a great degree of prominence in world affairs. The adoption of a joint approach in international negotiations suggests that there should be a comprehensive and continuing study of intra-African trade, and that Africa’s exchange in merchandise with the rest of the world should be properly observed. This paper briefly examines the availability of this international trade statistics of these countries as well as their comparability, reviews the international effort in publishing comparable relevant data and marks out a case for, presenting comprehensive trade statistics for the region in one publication.