Postdoctoral Fellow Seminar

Abstract

The seminar presents a deep dive into the concealed but critical issue of trade mis-invoicing in mineral-rich countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Trade mis-invoicing has increasingly been recognized as a significant, yet often overlooked, drain on Africa’s economic growth, depriving countries of much-needed revenues and undermining financial stability.

Drawing on advanced econometric techniques and a cross-country panel analysis, the seminar will expose the extent and patterns of trade mis-invoicing and the substantial negative relationship between trade mis-invoicing and economic growth, underlining how institutional weaknesses and underdeveloped financial systems exacerbate illicit financial outflows.

The seminar will critically examine:

• The magnitude and dynamics of trade mis-invoicing in selected mineral-rich SADCcountries.
• How institutional integrity and financial system development can mitigate trade mis-invoicing in selected African countries.
• The implications of trade mis-invoicing for economic growth and sustainabledevelopment in selected African countries.
• Policy recommendations for strengthening governance frameworks and financialinfrastructure to combat trade mis-invoicing and foster inclusive growth.

SPEAKER’S BIO:

Dr Tafadzwa Luke Mupingashato is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, UNISA. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand. Dr. Mupingashato’s research interests include international trade policy, financial governance, development economics, and illicit financial flows. He has extensive experience in macroeconomic analysis, econometric modelling, and policy research across African economies. Prior to his postdoctoral fellowship, he served as an economist in both the public and private sectors, advising on trade and investment strategies.