Second-hand vehicle markets in West Africa

A source of regional disintegration, trade informality and welfare losses

Bibliographic Data

ID8419005
AuthorsAbel E Ezeoha (0000-0001-5425-5816, Ebonyi State University, corresponding author), Abel Ezeoha (Ebonyi State University), Chinwe Okoyeuzu (0000-0003-1925-9875, University of Nigeria), Emmanuel Onah (0000-0003-2201-7607, University of Nigeria), Chibuike Uche (0000-0002-8106-3067, African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands)
Year2019
Volume61
Issue1
Pages187-204
Publication date2019-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBusiness History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-6791 • E-ISSN: 1743-7938
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00076791.2018.1459087
OpenAlexW2797518624
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited20

This article critiques the second-hand vehicle markets in the West African region, focusing on the triad trading arrangements among Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Niger. These countries are connected by a number of underlying conflicting interests in the second-hand vehicles trade. Benin and Togo are incentivised by the revenues derived from re-export trade and port operations. Niger provides a proxy market for the illegal re-export of these vehicles to Nigeria, with the latter suffering huge welfare losses as a major consuming nation. We conclude that by offering conflicting benefits to the West African countries, the second-hand vehicle market provides disincentives against true regional integration

Business · Development economics · Economic integration · Economics · Geography · International economics · International trade · Market access · Market economy · Port (circuit theory · Proxy (statistics · Regional Integration · Revenue · Welfare · Energy, Environment, and Transportation Policies · Finance · Global trade and economics · Taxation and Compliance Studies