A common currency for the East African community? Lessons from the introduction of the euro Cover Image

A common currency for the East African community? Lessons from the introduction of the euro
A common currency for the East African community? Lessons from the introduction of the euro

Author(s): Hans H. Bass
Subject(s): International relations/trade, Political economy, Evaluation research, Financial Markets
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: regional integration; monetary integration; optimum currency area; exchange rate regimes; East Africa;

Summary/Abstract: The paper analyses the feasibility of a common currency for the East African Community (EAC), which comprises Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The paper discusses theoretical insights on the benefits and costs of a common currency. It then uses the introduction of the common European currency, the euro, as a potential yardstick to assess the feasibility of a common currency in East Africa. The paper analyses the readiness of the EAC’s economies for a common currency as measured by relevant indicators. It concludes that some caveats are in order with regard to the feasibility of a common East African currency at the present point in time.

  • Issue Year: 37/2018
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 215-230
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: English