Industrialization through trade in North Africa in the context of the Continental Free Trade Area and Mega Trade Agreements

Abstract

Industrialization in North Africa is imperative for countries of the subregion, given its past history of development and the aspirations of the population. A structural transformation of North African countries requires substantial development of their industrial sector in an adverse global context that restricts the emergence of new industrialized countries. The present publication provides a prospective analysis of the expected benefits of CFTA for North African countries, and identifies the tools and channels available to the subregion to make CFTA a stepping stone toward industrial development and the structural transformation of North African economies. In addition to this analysis, other regional integration projects are also examined, such as the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (Euromed) project.