Regional integration and trade facilitation

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the economic, legal, and institutional dimensions of regional integration and trade facilitation, with a particular focus on developing countries and Africa. Delivered through a blend of pre-session study, intensive on-site instruction, and post-session assignments, the course equips participants with both theoretical foundations and practical tools to analyze and evaluate regional trade agreements (RTAs) and trade facilitation mechanisms.
A critical component of the course is the comparative legal analysis of African RTAs—such as COMESA, EAC, SADC, and ECOWAS—and their interactions with third-party agreements like EPAs and GSP schemes. Through lectures, discussions, assignments, and examinations, students develop the analytical capacity to assess regional integration strategies and formulate effective trade policy recommendations.