The role of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in promoting borderless trade in West Africa.

Abstract

The paper investigates the pattern of borderless trade among Africa countries. The authors compares free trade zone with a restricted pattern of trade. The finding revealed that, countries with more liberal trade policies have better economic performance than those with restrictive trade policies. The paper concludes that continued acceptance of the positive role of trade by countries within the United Nations (UN) were driven by two major factors. The first being the creation of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD) in 1964 and, its adoption as a permanent arm of the UN. This arm of the UN specializes in analyzing and reshaping trade policies to benefit developed and developing nations. The second was the adoption of new principles in the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This has made trade policies to remain central in the design of macroeconomic policies in both developed and developing countries.