Cross-Border Textile in West-Africa

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this research study will be to enlighten and explore the Textile industry of West Africa in a holistic manner. This research study is aimed to highlight the textile industry of West Africa and the factors responsible for its growth. Nonetheless, the research study will also comprise the analysis that will enlighten the economic contribution of the textile industry to the region. Moreover, the study will also extract diverse factors from the secondary data to be incorporated in the paper in order to measure the influence of these factors on the textile industry of West Africa. The paper will interpret the key success factors along with the factors that deteriorate the textile industry. Moreover, the paper will also evaluate the influence of globalization and tariffs on the textile industry of West Africa. The research study aims to gather diverse secondary data that will be gathered from different sources, in order to analyze the findings of the research qualitatively.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION6

Background of the Research6

Scope of the Research7

Research Questions8

Aims and Objectives of the Study8

Purpose of the Study9

Conceptual Framework10

Ethical Concerns11

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW12

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY22

Research Process22

Research Design23

Data Collection Process24

Data Collection Sources24

Sample Size25

Secondary Research25

REFERENCES28

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research

The introduction of four bilateral and regional trade agreements since the turn of the century has had a mixed effect on West Africa's clothing and textile exports over the past seven years. Statistics for the period show that despite the abolition of a wide range of textiles and clothing tariffs for lines traded between West Africa and its neighboring countries, as well as the EU and the US, exports in the former category have risen moderately while the latter have fallen dramatically. The West African government had hoped that signing the March 2001 Africa Growth and Opportunity Act with the US, the January 2000 free trade agreement with the EU, and the September 2000 West African Development Community trade protocol would actually increase exports. However, while last year's West African textiles exports amounted to US$562.6 million compared to US$392 million in 2001, exports of clothing fell, being recorded at US$95.6 million in 2007 compared to US$222.4 million in 2001.

The introduction of four bilateral and regional trade agreements since the turn of the century have had a mixed effect on West Africa's clothing and textile exports over the past seven years, according to industry experts. Statistics for the period show that despite the abolition of a wide range of textiles and clothing tariffs for lines traded between West Africa and ...