Road network upgrading and overland trade expansion in sub-Saharan Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Road network upgrading and overland trade expansion in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors:	Buys, Piet Deichmann, Uwe Wheeler, David
Year:	2010
Periodical:	Journal of African Economies (ISSN 0963-8024)
Volume:	19
Issue:	3
Pages:	399-432
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:	road networks road transport long-distance trade
External link:	https://jae.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/3/399.full.pdf
Abstract:	Recent research suggests that poor economic integration and isolation from regional and international markets have contributed significantly to poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Poor transport infrastructure and border restrictions are major deterrents to trade expansion which would stimulate economic growth and poverty reduction. Using spatial network analysis techniques and gravity trade model estimations, this paper quantifies the economics of upgrading a primary road network that connects the major urban areas in the region. The results indicate that continental network upgrading is worth serious consideration from an economic perspective. The authors' simulations suggest that overland trade among sub-Saharan African countries might expand by about 250 billion dollars over 15 years, with major direct and indirect benefits for the rural poor. Financing the programme would require about 20 billion dollars for initial upgrading and 1 billion dollars annually for maintenance. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]