This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the trade regimes for Africa that on 1 January 2008 replaced the trade preferences under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA), the negotiations that remain to be completed and the challenges facing Africa in implementation, some of which require support from Europe . The first part of the paper gives an overview of the initialled agreements, comparing both the texts of the agreements and the liberalization schedules that give details on the com more...

The ACP-EU Trade non-partisan website provides access to publicly available information, from a variety of sources, in English and in French, on ACP-EU trade related matters. In particular:

* An extended and regularly updated searchable on-line library provides instant access to the most recent studies, reports, official communications, etc. on trade (-related) issues relevant for EPAs.
* A news section offers regular updates on the status of the EPA negotiations and related matters. more...

This compedium brings together the results of the scientif research on the NERICA varieties, ranging from the choice of land to planting,
integrated crop and pest management, harvest and post-harvest operations, agro-processing technologies and NERICA nutritional
quality, and adoption impact on rice farmers’ livelihoods.

Countries in Africa implemented more reforms than in any year since the start of Doing Business: 28 economies implemented 58 reforms. Two West African countries led the way, Senegal and Burkina Faso, joined by Botswana. Since 2005, the pace of reform has continuously increased in the region with a 70% increase in the number of countries reforming between 2005 and 2008. This year, Africa has seen the second highest number of reform, behind Europe and Central Asia. Out of the 58 reforms carried ou more...

Global trade and investment has expanded over the past several decades. In Sub-Saharan Africa, however, a region hampered by political instability and governance problems, lack of foreign investment, and other barriers – the opposite has occurred.

Africa’s share of world exports has dropped by nearly two-thirds in three decades from 2.9 percent in 1976 to 0.9 percent in 2006. If Africa’s share of world exports had kept at the same level as the 1970’s its export revenue would be approx more...

'The objective of the report of the Africa Progress Panel is to examine the state of the continent in 2008, to focus world leaders’ attention on delivering on existing commitments and to mobilise resources
to deal with new challenges, in particular the crisis in food production. The Panel has drawn on the work of various institutions and eminent individuals working on African issues to present an independent assessment of progress. We have strived to combine these assessments with our experie more...

KIT and IIRR are proud to present Trading Up, the second book in their series about value chains in Africa. Following on the success of Chain Empowerment, which focused on farmer organizations and their support agencies (NGOs), this book looks at the role of traders in the value chain.
Standing up for traders: In much of Africa, smallholder farmers face serious difficulties selling their produce. But farmers, development agencies and governments all treat the traders who market their goods wit more...

This WIDER Discussion Paper (June 2008/05) by Deepak Nayyar attempts to analyse the economic implications of the rise of China, India, Brazil and South Africa, for developing countries situated in the wider context of the world economy. It examines the possible impact of their rapid growth on industrialized countries and developing countries, which could be complementary or competitive and, on balance, positive or negative. In doing so, it considers the main channels of transmission, to focus on more...