ABSTRACT
Policymakers in Eastern and Southern African countries have recognized that weaknesses in their services sectors impede growth. Recent studies have revealed a strong relationship between African firms’ productivity and their access to services (Arnold et al. 2006). In parallel with reform of backbone services like telecommunications, banking and transport, governments are beginning to prioritize reform of professional services, including by creating more integrated regional markets. However, relative to the process of regional integration in East Africa, regional integration in Southern Africa is much less advanced.
