t external trade is essential to more rapid growth. Countries must shift from the traditional use of trade preferences and focus instead on unilateral or multilateral liberalization. Africa is home to 30 regional trade agreements. Each country on average belongs to four. The cost of crossing a border in Africa can be equivalent to the cost of traveling more than 1,000 miles inland. Customs procedures and regional trade agreements should be simplified to encourage trade, particularly greater trade among African countries.
International Monetary Fund