This study examines empiricalinformation for major Sub-Saharan African countries andprovides an analysis of whether recent trade and economicpolicy changes by some Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countriesenhanced their international competitiveness and improvedtheir export performance. Specifically, it addresses thefollowing points: (i) have recent exports from theSub-Saharan African countries recently grown at a relativelyfaster pace and now come close to matching the averagegrowth in world trade? (ii) Studies show Sub-Saharan Africancountries have been increasingly marginalized in worldtrade, as reflected in secular declines in their shares ofthis exchange and in shares of their major traditionalexports (Ng and Yeats 1997). Does the available evidenceindicate these trends have been reversed? (iii) Aggregateanalyses of the composition of African countries'exports typically reveals a structure often held to bedetrimental to industrialization and growth. African exportsare typically concentrated in a relatively few primarycommodities whose unstable prices (and export revenues) arethought to make development planning difficult. Does theavailable evidence indicate that shifts are occurring in thestructure of exports toward products (like labor-intensivemanufactures) that could play a more positive role inimproving the prospects for industrialization and growth?(iv) Are positive micro-level changes occurring which arenot reflected in aggregate trade statistics? Specifically,is the "revealed" comparative advantage of the SSAcountries changing, has their competitive position improved(as reflected in changes in their market shares fortraditional exports), or have they made progress in shiftingthe composition of exports up commodity processing chains?(v) Some studies of factors that influence the success orfailure of efforts to promote industrialization and growthconclude a high level of intra-industry trade plays animportant positive role. Related studies show thatcross-country production sharing, which often involves aspecial type of intra-industry trade, assists participatingcountries to integrate into global and regional markets andmay also act as a catalyst to industrialization and growth.Does the evidence suggest that the level of this trade hasincreased in African countries? (vi) Studies suggest theremay be adverse consequences (like paying higher prices forimports and receiving lower prices for exports-seeHirschmann (1948), Avramovic (1979) or Yeats (1981) amongothers)-for countries whose trade is highly concentrated ona geographic basis. Does the available evidence suggest thatthe African countries have been more successful inestablishing new trade ties and penetrating non-traditionalmarkets? And (vii) finally, what evidence exists with regardto the importance of self-imposed government and commercialrestrictions in the SSA countries? Are current trade andother economic other policies which affect the generalbusiness environment still sufficiently onerous so as toconstitute a major "drag" on African exports and growth?
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