Special Economic Zones in an Era of Multilateralism Decadence and Struggles for Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: Perspectives from the Global South

Abstract Recent years have seen a proliferation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in developed and developing countries. Developed Europe its modern shape, most SEZs are located outside the continent today, notably world, where form part these countries’ export-oriented growth policy tools overall economic development. At period growing unilateralism return State as an actor, this contribution seeks to tackle rise SEZ laws global south, with particular focus on Africa. It will scrutinize reasons for their establishment, measures chosen promote them, international ramifications respective regions broadly plane, at WTO. With entry into force African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, countries face challenges multi-layered governance, which intends address. These also extend cross-regional trade agreements conclude, individually bloc. Since often assimilated category subsidies discriminatory measures, contribution, essence, investigates extent current rules multilateral regional levels address controversial aspects SEZs.