Informal Cross-Border Trade Dynamics within ECOWAS Region: A Mixed-Methods Exploration in Egypt

This study addresses a current research gap in African Studies concerning Informal Cross-Border Trade and Regional Integration in ECOWAS in Egypt. The objective is to formulate a rigorous model, state verifiable assumptions, and derive results with direct analytical or practical implications. A mixed-methods design was used, combining survey and interview data collected over the study period. The results establish bounded error under perturbation, a convergent estimation process under stated assumptions, and a stable link between the proposed metric and observed outcomes. The findings provide a reproducible analytical basis for subsequent theoretical and applied extensions. Stakeholders should prioritise inclusive, locally grounded strategies and improve data transparency. Informal Cross-Border Trade and Regional Integration in ECOWAS, Egypt, Africa, African Studies, mixed methods study This work contributes a formal specification, transparent assumptions, and mathematically interpretable claims.