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Maximising domestic value-added in exports

Project Active from to Sustainable Growth, Firms and Trade

This project examines how Rwanda and Uganda can maximise domestic value-added in exports by optimally setting input tariffs and rules of origin. Using firm and customs data, it evaluates trade-offs between higher export volumes and reduced domestic content per unit of exports, informing policy and trade negotiations, including under African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and East African Community (EAC) frameworks.

Researchers

Marcelo Olarreaga

Professor of Economics, University of Geneva

Christian Lippitsch

Researcher, International Growth Centre

Bernard Hoekman

Professor and Director of Global Economics, European University Institute

Marco Sanfilippo

Professor of Economics, University of Turin

Project outputs

An image of the cover page for 'The World Economy' June 2025 edition

Value-added in African exports and rules of origin

Rohit Ticku, Marco Sanfilippo, Marcelo Olarreaga, Christian Lippitsch, Bernard Hoekman The World Economy
Journal article
Maximising domestic value-added in African exports: The role of rules of origin

Maximising domestic value-added in African exports: The role of rules of origin

Bernard Hoekman, Christian Lippitsch, Marcelo Olarreaga, Marco Sanfilippo, Rohit Ticku
Policy brief

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Blog
Themes
Sustainable Growth Firms Trade
Countries
Rwanda Uganda
Regions
Africa East Africa