Infrastructure, Trade Expansion and Regional Integration: Global Experience and Lessons for Africa

With increased competition in major markets forcing business to adapt to just in time production and management systems, flexibility, speed and reliability in delivery of goods have assumed significant importance. Yet, for many African countries, inadequate infrastructure and poor transport organization make it difficult to guarantee timely delivery of goods or ensure reliability or flexibility in the supply of goods. Drawing on lessons from the USA railroad experience, Latin America and Asia, the paper presents the global experiences of the role of infrastructure in promoting trade and regional integration and provides lessons for Africa.