In 2014, West African countries negotiated an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union, cutting tariffs on EU imports. At the start of 2015, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted a common external tariff (CET) for imports from outside ECOWAS countries. A team of local PEP researchers set out to evaluate the effects of the EPA and CET on youth employment, wellbeing, and government revenues in Senegal (an ECOWAS country). Their analysis indicates that the CET would have a number of positive effects for Senegal, including improved household wellbeing and increased employment for young people and women. However, the EPA is likely to be detrimental to the Senegalese economy with GDP decreasing by almost 3.9% and leading to a deterioration in wellbeing. Find out more about the research methods, findings and policy recommendations in the following PEP publications:
