Economic partnership agreements and the Zimbabwean economy since 2009: a case study

Abstract

From 1980 Zimbabwe and European Union have been engaged in multilateral trade agreements evolving from non- reciprocal Lome trade preferences to the World Trade Organization (WTO) compatible and reciprocal Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Zimbabwe has been negotiating under the East and Southern African (ESA) configuration and this study focuses on the impact of EPAs on the Zimbabwean economy from the negotiations, ratification and implementation between 2009 and 2015. The study’s main theoretical underpinnings include trade liberalism, neo-liberalism and neo-Marxist dependency theory. The research paradigm adopted in this study is the qualitative paradigm and the Case Study design in which data was gathered through interviews from key stakeholders selected through non-probability purposive sampling method and augmented through review of secondary sources. Data analysis was done using the thematic coding system. Study findings reveal that EPAs are at variance with the developmental dimension. They are designed to suffice the EU’ commercial interests. Despite mitigated efforts to reintegrate Zimbabwe into the global market the ambitious EPA objectives do not match with the empirical evidence. EPAs are at variance with the theoretical benefits of commercial liberalisation, rather they are to some extent advancing EU’s geostrategic resource interests and promoting Zimbabwe’s dependency on the EU. The study recommended Zimbabwe to pursue value addition of its resources, resistance to WTO-plus issues, the EU to avail more financial resources for the country’s capacity building and to consider developmental needs through its National Indicative Programme.