Value-Added in African Exports and Rules of Origin

Organized by the Private Sector Development Research Network

Hosted by the International Growth Center (IGC)

Moderated by Eliot Faron, Policy Economist (Firms), IGC

Friday, 4 April 2025 from 9-10am EST / 2-3pm London Time

LINK TO REGISTER AND JOIN HERE

ABOUT THE SEMINAR

This seminar will delve into new research examining Rules of Origin (ROO) and their impact on African trade. The researcher investigates how ROO affect domestic and regional value-added in African exports. Using disaggregated trade data, the study estimates optimal ROO restrictiveness levels for maximizing value-added in African preferential exports. Findings show significant variations across countries, from 26% domestic content for Uganda and Kenya to 78% for South Africa.

The presentation will highlight a Uganda case study, assessing ROO restrictiveness in EU and AfCFTA agreements. Results indicate current requirements are overly stringent in both trade regimes. The researcher will also discuss how reducing ROO requirements could increase domestic value-added in Uganda’s preferential exports to the EU and within AfCFTA.

This seminar offers insights into optimizing trade policies for African countries and regional integration. Link to the paper here

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Christian Lippitsch

Senior Country Economist, Rwanda, International Growth Centre (IGC)

Dr. Lippitsch serves as a Senior Country Economist for the IGC in Rwanda. He earned his BSc in economics from the University of Cologne, followed by an MSc and PhD from the University of Edinburgh. His doctoral research focused on agricultural productivity and climate change impacts on rural economies. Before pursuing his PhD, Dr. Lippitsch gained experience working at various economic research institutes across Europe and Asia.

Details of Dr. Lippitsch’s work can be found here.