Special Economic Zones and Export Diversification in Africa: The Role of Infrastructure and Human Capital

2026/01/29 by Dieu Ne Dort Talla Fokam, Ernest Youmto, Benjamin Fomba Kamga · 1 voice
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Economic Zones and Regional Development #Economic Growth and Productivity #Local Economic Development and Planning

paper · doi:10.1080/08853908.2026.2619129

openalex publication_date 2026/01/29 · openalex created_date 2026/01/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of special economic zones (SEZs) on export diversification with particular emphasis on the role of infrastructure and human capital. The data cover 39 African countries over the period of 2000 to 2021. The differences-in-differences with heterogeneous treatment effects models are used for the empirical analyses. Results show that SEZs promote export diversification in Africa. Human capital endowments as well as an increase in the quantity and quality of infrastructure boost the impact of SEZs on export diversification. To benefit from the positive externalities of SEZs, African decision-makers need to provide a competitive economic environment.

Citations

• Export Diversification: What's behind the Hump?
• Difference-in-differences with variation in treatment timing
• Toward Economically Dynamic Special Economic Zones in Emerging Countries
• Two-Way Fixed Effects Estimators with Heterogeneous Treatment Effects
• Estimating dynamic treatment effects in event studies with heterogeneous treatment effects
• Revisiting Event-Study Designs: Robust and Efficient Estimation

Discussions

• Special Economic Zones don’t fail loudly. They fade quietly. #SEZs in #Africa amplify existing strengths—skills, infrastructure—while exposing weaknesses. The can raise export diversification but slo [bsky, 3 points, 0 comments]

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