Title: Economic development and trade outcomes in East African countries: prospects and constraints

Authors: Romanus Osabohien; Oluwatoyin Matthew; Busayo Aderounmu; Abigail Godwin; Victoria Okafor

Addresses: Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria ' Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria ' Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria ' Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria ' Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Abstract: This study employed a panel data analysis from selected East African countries, with the use of fixed and random effects model which was tested using Hausman specification test. The results from the study showed that; trade agreement and foreign direct investment (FDI) have a significant positive effect on East African economy, while trade openness exerts a negative effect as a result of low productivity. Therefore, the study recommended that the government of East African countries should embrace and develop policies in promoting the continental trade agreement and economic integration, in order to raise the level of productivity within the region and the sub-region for sustainable economic development.

Keywords: East Africa; economic development; economic integration; trade openness; trade outcomes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTGM.2021.113341

International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 2021 Vol.14 No.1, pp.1 - 18

Received: 01 Mar 2019
Accepted: 21 Aug 2019
Published online: 01 Mar 2021 *

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