The impact of the EU on exports and investment in selected African countries: some implications for the effects of the SEM

Abstract

For over a century now, Europe has been Africa's largest trading partner. Although Africa's share in the European Union (EU)'s market has been declining (Table I), likewise its share in global trade, the EU continues to be the region's largest trading partner. As shown in Table 2, 70.5 % of exports went to and 66.3% of imports originated from the EU in 1992. The objective of this study is to make a contribution to the question by looking specifically at the impact on exports and investment in specific West African countries, namely Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, based on quantifiable historical evidence on the effects of the EU before the SEM (the EC).