1Gabriel, Olayinka Enoch
2Dixon-Ogbechi, B. N (Ph.D.)
3Mojisayo Abimbola
4Ayodeji Olaniyi
1Department of Business Administration,
Anchor University Ayobo Lagos
2Department of Business Administration,
University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba Lagos
3Leeds Trinity University Horsforth Leeds LS18 5HD
4Department of Mass Communication,
Anchor University Ayobo Lagos
For correspondence, email: gabrielolyinka@gmail.com
Abstract
Regional integration has emerged as a transformative force in the global economic landscape, representing one of the most significant developments in international relations This paper reviews the literature on regional integration and trade development in West Africa with particular focus on the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. This study adopted desk review, while a sample size of 93 sources was drawn from Google Scholar and JSTOR; exclusion/inclusion steps were used to determine the sample size, from journals, marketing textbooks, and E-books. Data collected from 93 relevant articles focus on regional integration and fast-moving consumers goods industries. The findings revealed that regional trade benefits are yet to have huge positive impacts on FCMG in Nigeria based on challenges such as lack of government investment in infrastructure, inability to curb informal trade, and prevalence of trade barriers. The study concluded that that regional integration and trade development offers the opportunity to firms to access to larger market. Although with factors that affected by FMCGs trade activities. Finally, the study recommends the need for Government of each member states to use their political will to urgently deal with the issues of corruption and infrastructure deficit among the regional members to ameliorate the current challenges faced by FCMG West Africa states. The study ECOWAS, should place greater attention on cross border activities for the benefits of FMCG firms operating in Nigeria and in West Africa.
Keywords: FMCG, Regional integration, Trade development, West Africa, ECOWAS; Cross Border Trade