Impact of Trade Openness and Manufacturing Output on Economic Growth in Selected West Africa Countries
Abstract
s This study examines the impact of trade openness and manufacturing output on economic growth in selected six West African countries (Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Gambia, Cote’Ivoire, and Guinea) between 1992 and 2023. The study adopts a panel data approach with Pedroni panel cointegration tests to examine the relationships among trade openness, manufacturing output, and economic growth. The results of the findings show that that trade openness has a significant positive effect in the short-run role in enhancing manufacturing output and driving economic growth in West African countries. Additionally, the manufacturing sector's reliance on imports, highlights its vulnerability, indicating that without stronger domestic input capacity, industrial growth will remain unstable and externally dependent. Hence, the study concludes by recommending that in order to maximize increase in trade openness, the government should improve trade infrastructure, enhance African Continental Free Trade Area implementation, and support local production through import substitution policies.
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