Regionalizing Telecommunications Reform in West Africa
In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition that significant welfare gains could be realized through deep forms of regional integration which entail harmonization of legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks. Reforms that reduce...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2012
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20091111153540 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/4316 |
| Summary: | In recent years, there has been an
increasing recognition that significant welfare gains could
be realized through deep forms of regional integration which
entail harmonization of legal, regulatory and institutional
frameworks. Reforms that reduce cross-border transaction
costs and improve the performance of backbone
infrastructure services are arguably even more important for
the creation of an open, unified regional economic space
than trade policy reforms narrowly defined. This paper
assesses the potential gains from regionalized
telecommunications policy in West Africa. To this end, the
paper: (i) discusses how regional cooperation can overcome
national limits in technical expertise, enhance the capacity
of nations credibly to commit to stable regulatory policy,
and ultimately facilitate infrastructure investment in the
region; (ii) identifies trade-distorting regulations that
inhibit opportunities for regional trade and economic
development, and so are good candidates for regional trade
negotiations to reduce indirect trade barriers; and (iii)
describes substantive elements of a harmonized regional
regulatory policy that can deliver immediate performance benefits. |
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