The Determinants of Intra-Africa Export Performance in Selected African Countries

Developing countries in the factor-driven stage of development are usually bedevilled by domestic supply-side constraints which hinder translation of their comparative advantages to development. This study examines the domestic supply-side determinants to intra-Africa export performance in selected African countries. The study analysed 1994 to 2019 panel data of the biggest economies in each of the five African sub-regions, using pooled mean group (PMG) technique. The result from the study revealed capital formation, institutional quality, macroeconomic stability, technology adoption and infrastructure as significant long-run determinants of intra-Africa export performance while size of labour force was found to be insignificant long-run determinant of intra-Africa export share. All short-run coefficients of explanatory variables except one period lag of infrastructure and capital formation were insignificant. The coefficient of error correction term was negative and statistically significant. Based on the findings of this study macroeconomic stability, infrastructural development, pro-market institutions, capital formation and technology adoption are imperative for intra-Africa export performance in the studied countries.