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1
Enaifoghe, Andrew O., and Toyin C. Adetiba. "South African Economic Development in SADC Sub-Regional Integration." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 10, no. 1(J) (March 15, 2018): 135–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v10i1(j).2097.
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Following the end of colonialism in the Southern African sub-region, the SADC has experienced a thorough rearrangement with South Africa as the front-runner as opposed to her pre-1994 stance on integration. African regional cooperation has nevertheless been revitalised in some ways as a result of the two major events which started in the beginning of the 1990s that include the abolition of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and the eventual stabilisation of both political and economic relationships in the Southern Africa sub-region. This study employs the use of content analyses to assess the position of South Africa investments in SADC. Through the use ofregional integration, the studyfurther examined various South Africa’s Key Economy Performance since 1994 which are the main contributing factors to South African economic growth; furthermore it looks at her material, commodity and political investment in the subregional integration process to determine if it serves as the strategy for National Economic Development for South Africa.The paper find out thatregardless of South Africa’s economic clout within the SADC region, its Foreign Direct Investment is predominantly from its investment and market penetration of Southern Africa region while maintaining constant economic growth.
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Bilas, Vlatka. "United Africa: realistic or not?" Oeconomica Jadertina 10, no. 1 (July 1, 2020): 45–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.15291/oec.3053.
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There is a proliferation trend of a number of regional economic integrations in the world, as well as their deepening. This global trend spilled over in Africa, where the creation and deepening of regional economic integrations with the ultimate objective/goal of establishing one continental integration is considered a development imperative. A single market of 1.3 billion people can make a difference, from the aspect of trade, productivity, competitiveness, creation of new jobs and higher living standard. This paper aims to provide an overview and discuss challenges and perspectives of the development of regional integrations in Africa with special emphasis on eight regional economic communities recognized as building blocks of the African Union. Accordingly, the contribution of the paper is twofold. First, it gives an overview of the main features of regional economic integration of Africa and the performance of eight regional economic communities. Second, it identifies the main challenges and gains of regional economic integration processes in Africa and offers recommendations for further successful regional integration processes in Africa.
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Naudé, Willem, and Waldo Krugell. "Global integration of Africa versus regional integration in Africa." South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 4, no. 3 (September 30, 2001): 493–504. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v4i3.2659.
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Proposals and schemes for regional integration have abounded in postindependence Africa, often with disappointing results. Recently there has been a revival of interest in African economic integration. Unlike in the past, regional integration is now motivated as a way to open up African economies. This paper assesses whether regional integration amongst African states is the best way to achieve open economies. The conclusion is that regional integration between African states may be of limited value, apart from possibly contributing to better co-ordination of sound macro-economic policies. Instead, integration between African countries and higher-income regions, such as Euroland, may be a preferred strategy.
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Adom, Assandé Désiré, Subhash C. Sharma, and A. K. M. Mahbub Morshed. "Economic integration in Africa." Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 50, no. 3 (August 2010): 245–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.qref.2010.02.005.
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Djeghar, Aicha. "An economic project of regional integration in Africa." RUDN Journal of Economics 31, no. 2 (December 15, 2023): 197–210. http://dx.doi.org/10.22363/2313-2329-2023-31-2-197-210.
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According to the latter’s 2022 report, foreign direct investment (FDI) to Africa reached $83 billion in 2021. This increase is due to the proportion of 45 % of the total linked to an intra-company financial transaction in South Africa. In reality, the global integration of Africa does not. Average global economic growth over the past twenty years has not exceeded 2.5 % (UNCTAD 2020). In the continent, globalization continues to be combined with a multitude of cooperation agreements and monetary unions. Globalization is seen as a process where Africa is a rich passive periphery in the hands of the powerful. The African Union recognizes that the plans it has developed have not achieved the expected objectives (Rapport UA 2020). Africa is still not integrated into the global economy. Underdevelopment continues to proliferate in the continent. Faced with this observation, a question arises: how then to boost the economic integration of Africa? This research aims to demonstrate the importance of reviving local development projects, because global integration must first go through African regional integration supported by African states themselves. There are strategic projects of development that could boost Africa’s development. This research aims to express the importance of the trans-Saharan road project in Algeria for regional integration. The method adopted is the descriptive one. We highlight the local riches of the country. The potentialities described in this intervention, constitute a part of the optimal economic environment of the trans-Saharan road. The project starts from the Mediterranean Sea crosses all the Algerian and then Nigerien territory to the Atlantic could be the stimulator that will boost African trade. In the economy of the 21st century, “The Trans-Saharan Highway” project is an opportunity for African and foreign investors to position themselves strategically and then concretize the regional and global integration of Africa.
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Kravchenko, Mariia. "Integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: history and prospects for development." Bulletin of Mariupol State University. Series: History. Political Studies 10, no. 28-29 (2020): 52–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.34079/2226-2830-2020-10-28-29-52-62.
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The article deals with the main integration associations of such a promising but controversial region, as Sub-Saharan Africa. The author emphasizes the continuity of regional integration associations’ formation that goes back to the colonial times, to the first half of the 20th century. Periodization of ongoing integration processes in Sub-Saharan Africa is proposed in the research. Key milestones for the further regional integration were: - 1963, the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU); and the beginning of Independence for many postcolonial countries of Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1980, the Lagos Plan of Action adoption that led to the establishment in future of the following integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: ECOWAS, Economic Community of West African States; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa; ECCAS, Economic Community of Central African States; - 1991, the signing of the Abuja Treaty, which called for the African Economic Community creation as the new stage for economic cooperation and integration of the continent, including Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1999-2002, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) transition into the African Union (AU), launching of new partnerships and integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, increased integration. At the beginning of the 21st century, there are serious economic and political factors for disintegration in the region. Nevertheless, the following integration associations, as stated in the article, proved to be effective: SADC, Southern African Development Community; EAC, East African Community; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. The author argues that the existence since 2015 the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) between EAC, COMESA and SADC marks a significant step forward for strengthening of integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as for the achievement of African Union’s purpose to provide the African Continental Free Trade Area.
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Jiboku, Peace A. "The Challenge of Regional Economic Integration in Africa: Theory and Reality." Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review 3, no. 4 (December 1, 2015): 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v3i4.96.
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Africa has a high concentration of sub-regional economic organisations, multilateral arrangements and institutions promoting the goals of integration. Yet, the continent has remained the least integrated of the world’s major regions. Africa has remained slow in its development trajectory and harbours most of the least developed countries of the world. A large percentage of the African populace is mired in poverty while the sub-continent continues to be marginalised in global affairs. The obvious reality is that Africa is yet to benefit fully from the gains of regional economic integration and that the economic transformation of the African continent as a whole – one of the main objectives often declared in establishing regional economic integration schemes – is yet to be realised. There is, in Africa, a seemingly wide gap between the theoretical aspirations towards regional economic integration and the empirical evidence and practical reality of actual integration. Regionalism in Africa raises several issues of contradictions and debate in the world <br />of theory. This paper examines regional economic integration challenge in Africa locating key issues within theory and practice.
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Enaifoghe, Andrew O., and Toyin C. Adetiba. "South African Economic Development in SADC Sub-Regional Integration." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 10, no. 1 (March 15, 2018): 135. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v10i1.2097.
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Following the end of colonialism in the Southern African sub-region, the SADC has experienced a thorough rearrangement with South Africa as the front-runner as opposed to her pre-1994 stance on integration. African regional cooperation has nevertheless been revitalised in some ways as a result of the two major events which started in the beginning of the 1990s that include the abolition of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and the eventual stabilisation of both political and economic relationships in the Southern Africa sub-region. This study employs the use of content analyses to assess the position of South Africa investments in SADC. Through the use ofregional integration, the studyfurther examined various South Africa’s Key Economy Performance since 1994 which are the main contributing factors to South African economic growth; furthermore it looks at her material, commodity and political investment in the subregional integration process to determine if it serves as the strategy for National Economic Development for South Africa.The paper find out thatregardless of South Africa’s economic clout within the SADC region, its Foreign Direct Investment is predominantly from its investment and market penetration of Southern Africa region while maintaining constant economic growth.
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Shitov, V. "Economic Integration in Central Africa." Энергия: экономика, техника, экология, no. 7 (2018): 57–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.31857/s023336190000352-3.
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Tuluy, Hasan. "Regional Economic Integration in Africa." Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies 8, no. 3 (September 2016): 334–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0974910116677790.
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Saville, Adrian David, and Lyall White. "Bringing Pankaj Ghemawat to Africa: Measuring African economic integration." South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 19, no. 1 (March 2, 2016): 82–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v19i1.1251.
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A wealth of literature dealing with trade liberalisation, capital market liberalisation, labour mobility and related issues concerning globalisation asserts that economies that are more integrated with the global economy and, more specifically with their neighbours, tend to enjoy higher sustained levels of growth. Empirical evidence with solid quantitative findings recently conducted by Pankaj Ghemawat has confirmed that more ‘open and connected’ economies display higher rates of economic growth, higher per capita income levels and greater levels of human welfare. Against this backdrop, it is notable that the available evidence – whilst incomplete – suggests that African economies are amongst the least integrated in the world. Given that integration and connectedness matter, and that there are material gaps in the evaluation of integration for African economies, it is important to develop better measures of African economies’ connectedness with their neighbours and with the world, how this connectedness is evolving and establish more comprehensive and robust means of economic integration compared to those historically available. Using Ghemawat’s framework, which measures flows of trade, capital, information and people (TCIP) to determine connectedness, we develop the Visa Africa integration index to provide a more comprehensive and detailed gauge of economic integration for 11 African countries in three clusters: East Africa, West Africa and Southern Africa. The index results suggest that African economies are emerging off a modest base, with some economies demonstrating progressive structural improvements toward higher levels of integration with their respective regions and the world. East Africa, in particular, shows signs of rising connectedness over the survey period. The index also illustrates that some countries are more integrated globally than regionally and vice versa, which is important information for policy makers toward improving deeper and broader integration in their respective regions. The index builds on previous research in the broad area of integration and helps us better understand the challenges and opportunities presented by Africa’s economic changes and some of the implications for economic growth.
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EZUGWU, Olileanya Amuche, and Moses, M. Duruji. "African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (Afcfta) And The Challenges Of Regional Integration In Africa." International Journal of Social Service and Research 3, no. 10 (October 25, 2023): 2711–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.46799/ijssr.v3i10.504.
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The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) represents a significant milestone in Africa's pursuit of regional integration and economic development. Envisioned as a pan-African initiative, the AfCFTA aims to establish a single market for goods and services, promote intra-African trade, and foster economic growth across the continent. This paper examines the challenges of regional integration in Africa and explores the potential benefits of the AfCFTA Agreement in addressing these challenges. This study uses qualitative research methods, with secondary data from scholarly publications, journal articles, reports from international organisations and literature studies that were thematically analysed. The results of the study shows that the challenges of integration in Africa are mostly driven by disparities in economic development and industrial capacities among African nations, persistent trade barriers, non-tariff obstacles, weak institutional frameworks, the paradox of sovereignty, and inadequate infrastructure. The study also reveals that the adoption of the AfCFTA Agreement in 2019, has brought more African nations involved in addressing these challenges of economic integration, and fostering deep cooperation within the continent. This paper concludes that the AfCFTA Agreement has the potential to be a transformative force in advancing regional integration and economic prosperity in Africa. However, a pragmatic approach is continually needed to address these challenges of integration. This paper thus recommends fostering inclusive growth and economic diversification through targeted policies that can address economic disparities among African nations. Also, emphasising the inclusion of marginalised sectors, such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and informal traders, which is essential for maximising the AfCFTA's potential benefits and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Keywords: AfCFTA, Africa, Economic Integration, Regional Integration, Trade barriers.
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Saville, Adrian, and Lyal White. "Bringing Pankaj Ghemawat to Africa: Measuring African economic integration." South African Journal of Economics and Management Sciences 19, no. 1 (2016): 82–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2222-3436/2016/v19n1a6.
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Kang, Ziwei. "The Impact of Transport Infrastructure Development in Africa on the Development of Regional Integration in Africa." Highlights in Business, Economics and Management 16 (August 2, 2023): 572–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.54097/hbem.v16i.10666.
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This paper, combined with scholars' current discussions on the importance of regional integration for national economic development, this paper focuses on showing that poor transportation hinders the import and export trade and the introduction of integration-specific talents in Africa, and that high-quality transportation infrastructure can improve trade facilitation and promote cross-regional trade, investment and the formation of a unified market on the African continent. It shows that good transportation can facilitate the development of regional economic integration in Africa and is an enabler of regional economic integration.
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Kadembo, Ernest. "Regional economic integration: challenges for Africa." World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development 2, no. 3/4 (2005): 290. http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/wrstsd.2005.007689.
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Iloh, Emeka C., Goddy Uwa Osimen, and Uzodinma Chukwuemeka Okafor. "The Africa we want or the Africa we were given? Interrogating the African economic community and the challenges of monetary integration in West Africa." Journal of Contemporary International Relations and Diplomacy 3, no. 1 (June 30, 2022): 341–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.53982/jcird.2022.0301.02-j.
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The study interrogates the possibility of achieving monetary integration in West Africa as part of efforts at realizing the envisaged African Economic Community (AEC). Eight regional economic communities (RECs) were recognized by the African Union (AU) as building blocks for the AEC, whose ultimate goal is the establishment of an economic and monetary union in Africa. These RECs are the institutional mechanisms through which this integration will be achieved, and monetary cooperation in the RECs is one of the steps towards achieving the integration. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is one of these RECs. Extant literature accounts blame the failure to achieve monetary integration in the sub-region on the countries’ inability to meet the ‘convergence criteria’ required to establish a monetary union. This study acknowledges this but contends that though this undermines monetary integration in the continent and sub-region, much attention has not been given to the impacts of colonial legacy. The study is anchored on the theory of the post-colonial state and utilizes the documentary method of data collection. The findings indicate that the nature and character of the continent handed over to Africans at independence, especially by France, and its continued meddlesomeness, have made it very difficult for West African countries to forge a common front in monetary integration. This casts doubts on the possibility of realizing the monetary integration agenda of the AEC. The study, therefore, concludes that as long as France continues to meddle in the affairs of its former colonies in West Africa, efforts at monetary integration in the sub-region and the wider AEC are likely to continue to be undermined.
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Delimatsis, Panagiotis. "A Partnership of Equals? ‘Deeper’ Economic Integration Between the EU and Northern Africa." European Foreign Affairs Review 26, Issue 4 (December 1, 2021): 507–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.54648/eerr2021040.
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Strengthening ties with Africa has become a top priority for the current geopolitical European Commission. The focus on Africa is not new: Since 2004, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) has gradually developed a framework for political dialogue and reforms in Northern African countries, which form part of the Southern Neighbourhood. The conclusion of association agreements and free trade agreements (FTAs) at the end of the previous century brought these countries closer to the European Union (EU) in commercial terms. In February 2021, the EU launched a renewed agenda for the South Mediterranean with a view to integrating these economies further to the EU edifice. Against this backdrop, this Article discusses how economic integration manifests itself in the region. It further pinpoints the economic fundamentals and political realities that will shape further economic integration between the EU and Northern Africa. A central element of EU’s renewed strategy in the region is the conclusion of deep and comprehensive free trade agreements (DCFTAs) with Northern African countries. It is argued that the conclusion of such agreements will constitute a litmus test for EU’s new assertive approach in trade matters in line with the newly adopted concept of open strategic autonomy. European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), Southern Neighbourhood, Northern Africa, EU trade policy, EU foreign policy, strategic autonomy, deep and comprehensive free trade agreements (DCFTAs), South Mediterranean, economic integration
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Shahalova, Anastasiya. "The role of current economic integration agreements in Africa." Russian Journal of Management 11, no. 2 (August 5, 2023): 417–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.29039/2409-6024-2023-11-2-417-421.
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The main regional economic associations of the African continent, which play a key role in the development of production and act as tools that contribute to the introduction of this region into the international trading system, are considered. Special economic zones in Morocco, Ethiopia, Gabon and South Africa will be considered as an example.
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Johnson, Omotunde E. G. "Economic Integration in Africa: Enhancing Prospects for Success." Journal of Modern African Studies 29, no. 1 (March 1991): 1–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022278x0002070x.
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After two decades of poor economic performance in most of the countries of the region, and with the recent political and prospective economic changes in Eastern Europe, as well as the European Community's forthcoming ‘single market’ in 1992, debates in African circles have intensified on political democracy, structural adjustment, and economic integration. The last of these topics is the concern of this article, which discusses the major factors behind the slow progress, and sometimes failure, of integration attempts in Africa, and then, inter alia, proposes ways in which the chances of success can be enhanced, and progress towards regional integration thereby accelerated.
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Nene, Siphesihle. "Regional Integration in Africa: Progress of Agenda 2063." Studia Mundi – Economica 11, no. 2 (June 10, 2024): 17–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.18531/sme.vol.11.no.2.pp.17-28.
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Regional integration in Africa is a multifaceted process involving economic, political, and social dimensions. The African Union, established in 2002, has emerged as a key actor in fostering cooperation among African nations. The development of Agenda 2063 by the African Union serves as a strategic framework aimed at fostering socio-economic development and regional integration throughout the continent, addressing the diverse challenges confronting African countries. However, with the conclusion of the initial phase of Agenda 2063 in 2023, it is evident that many African countries are struggling to achieve the set goals. The attainment of these objectives appears to be beyond the reach of most African countries, with projections indicating that they may only materialize well beyond the target year of 2063. This paper critically examines the progress made by the African Union in implementing regional policies during the first decade and assesses the challenges encountered in promoting cohesive regional governance to realize the objectives outlined in Agenda 2063 in Southern Africa.
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Bala, Maiyaki Theodore. "The Challenges and Prospects for Regional and Economic Integration in West Africa." Asian Social Science 13, no. 5 (April 19, 2017): 24. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v13n5p24.
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The age-long practice of the individual survival of nations have long given way to the emergent concept of integration and cooperation among states as an option to meeting the collective development needs of the cooperating states. Practice has shown over time that when states take comparative advantage of each other’s strength and weaknesses, it opens the space and engenders the potentials for specialization, development of the economies of scale and indeed reduces the cost of production. Consequently, it enhances the purchasing power of the citizenry. In recent times, there have been significant increases in the efforts of developing countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve regional economic integration. The advent of the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) have given new impetus to the global African and regional integration processes and has focused particular attention on the need to take decisive action to tackle the continent’s numerous problems through the instrument of the economic integration strategy. This paper appreciates the evolution of regional integration and analyses the rationale for economic integration in West Africa. It evaluates the challenges and prospects of integration in West Africa.
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Muzee, Hannah, and Andrew Osehi Enaifoghe. "Towards an Inclusive Model of African Regional Integration: How Effective has the Linear Model been so Far?" Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 11, no. 1(J) (March 10, 2019): 55–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v11i1(j).2748.
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Abstract: The proponents of African regional integration hoped to create large economic spaces that allow economies of scale, increased efficiency, competitiveness and faster growth of Africa states. Whereas the linear model of regional integration seemed to have worked for the European Union, many have questioned its applicability in the African context. The applicability of the Linear model at the stages of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) like the EAC has met with significant stagnation primarily because of some bottlenecks such as poor infrastructure that limits the connectivity with the continent and lack of political will out of fear for the loss of sovereignty. The question thus lies in how the dream for a regionally united Africa will arise when its people cannot move and interact freely within the continent? By utilizing a secondary research design, this paper, therefore, sought to not only examine the effectiveness of the linear model of regional integration for Africa but also explore the possibility of incorporating the functionalist and federalist approach into an inclusive model for African regional integration. In examining the economic dynamics of regional integration, the paper identifies the benefits of economic integration, such as larger markets as a result of free movement of people and goods that could be harnessed by trading communities within Africa. Thus, the central argument in this paper does not discard the benefits and successes of the linear model of regional integration but concludes that its effectiveness can be enhanced by incorporating functionalist and at later stages federalist approaches to regional integration in Africa. The principal argument is that political and elitist integration agreements are futile when the continent is not connected physically and trade wise.
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Onoria, Henry. "Locus Standi of Individuals and Non-State Entities Before Regional Economic Integration Judicial Bodies in Africa." African Journal of International and Comparative Law 18, no. 2 (September 2010): 143–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.3366/ajicl.2010.0002.
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Economic integration efforts in Africa have been ongoing since the 1960s. In spite of the fact that judicial bodies – in the form of Courts and Tribunals – have been provided as key institutions in integration treaties, they have largely not been active in application of the treaties or addressing disputes within the economic blocs until after 2000. This was partly a result of the failure in the timely establishment of the Courts and Tribunals and partly a result of the absence or limited role of individuals and non-State entities in the integration process (and, under certain treaties, of the right of access to the Courts and Tribunals). In the past decade, mainly through protocols to the treaties, the role of individuals and non-State entities in integration has been greatly enhanced, including the grant of locus standi before the Courts and Tribunals. The recent decisions of the Courts and Tribunals under the regional economic integration blocs, especially the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have addressed the role and locus standi of individuals and non-State entities that has significant implications for the future of economic integration processes in Africa.
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Ahmed, Faisal. "Preparedness and Economic Integration in Africa – A Case with Reference to APRM." African and Asian Studies 17, no. 3 (August 22, 2018): 205–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15692108-12341134.
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Abstract The ideas of governance and African integration and the inter-linkages between them are consistently defining policy-making in Africa. This paper analyses the Lagos Plan of Action and makes an assessment of various sub-regional integration pursuits within Africa, which is integral to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The paper also analyses the business environment and economic governance in African sub-regions by assessing their participation in international trade and investment flows, besides discussing the trade-related institutional frameworks in Africa. Moreover, the paper analyses few indigenous best practices in the areas of infrastructural development, trade facilitation, competition regime, and, agricultural development, among others and also reflects on the pertinent concerns. It calls for a broad-based multi-stakeholder participation to help enhance Africa’s preparedness and global outreach.
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Gottschalk, Keith. "African Peacekeeping and African Integration: Current Challenges." Vestnik RUDN. International Relations 20, no. 4 (December 15, 2020): 678–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.22363/2313-0660-2020-20-4-678-686.
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Peacekeeping and economic union are the two most important dimensions of African integration. The first section of this article aims to analyse some current challenges to African peacekeeping, peacemaking, and African integration. The continuing Libyan civil war epitomizes the diplomatic stalemates and military stalemates which form the limits of current African peacekeeping. It exposes the North African Regional Capability and North African Standby Brigade as paper structures which do not exist operationally, and so limit the capacity of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. The military intervention of states outside Africa can polarize conflicts and escalate civil wars. Africa’s colonial epoch serves as a warning of the potential dangers of foreign military bases in Africa. In parts of West Africa, states sub-contract peacemaking and anti-terrorist operations to unsupervised local militias, which are lawless at best, and commit ethnic killings at worst. African integration fares better in the economic dimension. The second section analyses African integration, with its focus on the most recent step of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which starts to lay the cornerstone envisaged four decades ago in the Lagos Plan of Action, and three decades ago in the Abuja Treaty for an African Economic Community. The historic track record of African continental organizations indicates that a decade will be a realistic minimum period for it to be substantially implemented. The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System will help operationalize the AfCFTA by lowering forex currency transaction charges. Severe difficulties can be predicted for future attempts to upgrade the AfCFTA into a continental customs union, and ultimately into a continental common market.
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Oppong, Richard Frimpong. "BOOK REVIEW – CRITIQUE BIBLIOGRAPHIQUE." African Journal of International and Comparative Law 16, no. 1 (March 2008): 115–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.3366/e0954889008000091.
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Economic integration has been promoted as essential for the development of Africa. Currently, the principal vehicle for integration in the West Africa sub-region is the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS]. A lot has been written on ECOWAS from socio-economic and political perspectives. What has so far been missing is a comprehensive study of ECOWAS from a legal or institutional perspective. It is a defining characteristic of Africa's integration processes that the role of law, rules or institutions has not been emphasised. The process has been a political construct fortified by economic theory with the central role of law or institutions missing. Indeed, a 2006 report of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa found the existing legal framework for Africa's integration ‘ambiguous and imprecise’. It is against this background that Dr. Kofi Oteng Kufuor's book The Institutional Transformation of the Economic Community of West African States is timely and welcomed. It is the singular contribution of Kufuor's work that while not ignoring the importance of the socio-economic and political perspectives, he brings to bear on the study of ECOWAS a legal and institutional perspective that is at once critical and rigorous.
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Kuzmin, D. V., and D. V. Kuzmin. "East African Community: Demographics and Economic Development." Information and Innovations 15, no. 2 (August 14, 2020): 45–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.31432/1994-2443-2020-15-2-45-51.
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Regional economic integration in East Africa, as in sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, remains an urgent task for States. It also arouses the interest of researchers for its features. The basis of regional economic integration in the associations of Africa in the XXI century is a stable macroeconomic dynamics, since the author proceeds from the fact that in the conditions of economic recovery, integration processes in the region are intensified. At the same time, the author believes that the socioeconomic problems common to the countries of Africa or its individual regions can also serve as a basis for the activation of integration processes.
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Forere, Malebakeng. "Is Discussion of the “United States of Africa” Premature? Analysis of ECOWAS and SADC Integration Efforts." Journal of African Law 56, no. 1 (February 13, 2012): 29–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021855311000234.
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AbstractFor integration to succeed, the intending bloc of nations must begin with integration efforts that are based on gradual, continuous and concrete achievements, to create de facto solidarity among community members. This is the theoretical premise on which this article is based. This perspective is also drawn from the normative framework of both the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU) and the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. According to its objectives, the AU aims to form a union government, to be preceded by successful economic integration through regional economic communities (RECs). While there are several RECs in Africa, this article examines those in west and southern Africa, being among the more developed. The article discusses whether the RECs have achieved their objectives to the extent that would warrant discussion of, and efforts towards, the imminent formation of the “United States of Africa”.
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Andronova, Inna V., and Mama Dembele. "Mali’s participation in the West Africa’s integration processes." RUDN Journal of Economics 29, no. 3 (December 15, 2021): 567–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.22363/2313-2329-2021-29-3-567-574.
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The first ever integration bloc in Africa was formed back in the colonial era in 1910, when a number of British colonies were integrated. Modern integration processes in the African countries in the south of the Sahara began much later, from the early 1960s, when most of the former colonies gained independence, and it was during this period that the construction of a number of economic blocks began. The article reveals integration processes in West Africa and sub-Saharan African countries features. Integration as such is viewed as a complex procedure, with the success way which depends on many factors. On the experience of the Republic of Mali, the authors demonstrated how an irrational socio-economic policy can lead to deformation of integration processes, which inevitably threatens with deep financial and socio-political crises.
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Andronova, Inna V., and Mama Dembele. "Mali’s participation in the West Africa’s integration processes." RUDN Journal of Economics 29, no. 3 (December 15, 2021): 567–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.22363/2313-2329-2021-29-3-567-574.
Full textAbstract:
The first ever integration bloc in Africa was formed back in the colonial era in 1910, when a number of British colonies were integrated. Modern integration processes in the African countries in the south of the Sahara began much later, from the early 1960s, when most of the former colonies gained independence, and it was during this period that the construction of a number of economic blocks began. The article reveals integration processes in West Africa and sub-Saharan African countries features. Integration as such is viewed as a complex procedure, with the success way which depends on many factors. On the experience of the Republic of Mali, the authors demonstrated how an irrational socio-economic policy can lead to deformation of integration processes, which inevitably threatens with deep financial and socio-political crises.
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Amodu, Nojeem. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Economic Globalization: Mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goals into the AfCFTA Discourse." Legal Issues of Economic Integration 47, Issue 1 (March 1, 2020): 71–104. http://dx.doi.org/10.54648/leie2020004.
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There is a widely held belief that a borderless global economy brings numerous advantages including economic growth, development and welfare maximization. Globalization equally drives (and is driven by the activities of) large corporations involved in cross border operations. While corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a tool with which integrated developed economies ensure corporate behaviours remain within public interest confines, the regional integration agenda in Africa appears focused on liberalization of trade and investment at all costs. This article examines CSR in regional integration discourse, especially within the European Union, extracting important lessons for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It unifies the ultimate agenda of both CSR and African regionalism in achieving sustainable development. Advising against misconstruing CSR as an unnecessary trade barrier, the article demonstrates why and how CSR values can be mainstreamed into AfCFTA discourse towards ensuring inclusive growth in Africa and improving the global competitiveness of domestic businesses. AfCFTA, Africa, CSR, Corporate Responsibility, Regional Integration, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade Liberalization.
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Moheeldeen, Atif. "The importance of Information and Communications Technology in Achieving African Economic Integration." مجلة جامعة الشارقة للعلوم الانسانية والاجتماعية 18, no. 1A (November 10, 2021): 26–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.36394/jhss/18/1a/14.
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The present study investigated and tested the influences of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development on intra-African trade using a panel dataset for 41 African countries during the period 2002–2016. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study in the Africa continent that investigates the impact of ICT development on Intra-African trade using the Information and Communications Technology Development Index as a comprehensive measurement tool. The Pedroni cointegration tests verified a long-run relationship between the mentioned variables. The results of the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) technique suggested that ICT development plays a marginal impact on intra-African trade, an impact that is significant at 1%. Overall, the results implied that one of the key channels through which the goal towards Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) is through promoting and investing more in the ICT sector. Thus, governments and development partners should work with other stakeholders progressively to build ICT-enabled trade facilitation in Africa.
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Fuh, George Kum. "Enigma of Sub-Regional Integration in Africa: The Case of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), 1994-2020." Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Studia Europaea 69, no. 1 (June 27, 2024): 143–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.24193/subbeuropaea.2024.1.07.
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This chapter examines the enigma of Sub-regional economic integration in the Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Central (CEMAC) zone. The sub-regional integration idea was born out of the need for a united Africa during the immediate independence period, to be achieved through a gradual, but steady process. Although instituted in 1994, CEMAC was a re-make of the Economic and Customs Union of Central Africa (UDEAC) created in 1964. CEMAC was established, to promote sub-regional integration among central African states that shared a common legal tender, the CFA franc, through the promotion of trade, a genuine common market and greater solidarity. Albeit recording some inroads, CEMAC lagged behind its objectives, due to tardiness and overall poor implementation of policies, limited technical capacity, divergent attitudes of member states towards integration and absence of sanctions against states that disrespect community norms. The chapter sustains that such diverse political, economic, and socio-cultural impediments could only be halted through a joint approach, for remedial renewal by all stakeholders for a truly integrated economic CEMAC sub-region. This investigation shall be based on secondary and primary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented thematically. Keywords: Enigma, Economic integration, CEMAC, Sub-regionalism, Africa.
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Joanna Garlińska-Bielawska and Małgorzata Janicka. "Fragile States in African Economic Communities as Exemplified by the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) – Investment Issues." Politeja 15, no. 56 (June 18, 2019): 231–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.12797/politeja.15.2018.56.13.
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The region of Central Africa is abundant in both fragile states and economic communities. According to the theory of international economic integration, in the long term such integration processes should stimulate not only short-term trade effects but also long-term investment effects. The article aims to answer the question whether and how membership of an economic community by a fragile state influences the occurrence of dynamic integration effects. The examination is based on the example of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). The article uses an analytical and descriptive method on the basis of domestic and foreign literature sources and UNCTAD and IMF statistics. The analysis suggests that from the point of view of member countries of African economic communities, the mere fact of membership of such a community is no vital driver of FDI within the internal market, particularly important to capital-poor fragile states.
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Ambukita, Eric. "Economic community of West African states as an example of economic integration in Africa." Studia i Prace WNEiZ 53 (2018): 9–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.18276/sip.2018.53/2-01.
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Noyoo, Ndangwa. "Bringing social cohesion into the equation of regional integration: The case of Southern Africa." Regions and Cohesion 3, no. 1 (March 1, 2013): 94–111. http://dx.doi.org/10.3167/reco.2013.030105.
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Social cohesion is a powerful force that has helped to change and reshape the political landscape of southern Africa in the last four decades. However, social cohesion is rarely factored into regional integration endeavors in this part of Africa, which are in the main, geared towards economic imperatives. With economic development as the primary objective of nations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the assumption here seems to centre on the notion that once the region has been economically integrated, then human development would follow. This thinking is in line with the neo-liberal paradigm of “trickle down” economics which has not been very helpful to states of this region. Nonetheless, this lop-sided view of regional integration has a history.
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Enaifoghe, Andrew, and Sandile Blessing Mkhwanazi. "The Polity of Regional Integration Development and the Challenges Hampering Southern Africa Economic Growth." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 12, no. 5(J) (November 20, 2020): 44–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v12i5(j).3101.
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This paper explored the polity of regional integration development and the challenges hampering the southern Africa economic growth. The study finds that the design and structure of the African regional development within the integration schemes is around inward-looking industrialization that is intended to facilitate economic costs of participation for member states. This often remains unevenly distributed among member states. Most countries in Africa linger highly reliant on agriculture and yet suffer from high levels of unemployment and food insecurity in the continent. In these situations, it is logical for one to expect the “African regional integration in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) sub-regional schemes to be most focused on developing whatsoever synergies that may exist to promote both socio-economic development and regional security across borders, which may hamper the policy implementation through good governance and ethical valued approach. Qualitatively, this paper collected data and analysis them based on content, using secondary sources from different domains, including Google scholars, Scorpius repositories.
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Ngundu, Marvellous, and Harold Ngalawa. "Analyzing the Evolution of China-Africa Economic Integration: A Wavelet Approach." Journal of Economic Integration 38, no. 2 (June 15, 2023): 302–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.11130/jei.2023.38.2.302.
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This study analyzes the evolution of Africa's degree of economic integration with China from 1993 to 2019. The study period encompasses a number of China-Africa bilateral economic treaties, which the literature claims are prolific and have significantly strengthened Africa's degree of economic integration with China. We develop a theoretical argument that, if this assertion holds, the integration indicator must reflect a long-run upward trend that is less obstructed by noise. To validate this argument, we use a wavelet approach and find no evidence necessitating failure to reject the null hypothesis of no periodicity, suggesting that the integration indicator was statistically noisy over the study period. This finding suggests that interpreting the evolution of China-Africa economic integration primarily through bilateral economic pacts can be deceptive. The interpretation should instead be exploratory in nature to unpack some hidden motivations associated with this integration. Our preliminary investigation revealed that the Angola Model is primarily driving China-Africa economic integration. Therefore, it is plausible to argue that China-Africa economic integration is perpetuated to exploit natural resources rather than to enhance hard infrastructure development in Africa, as purported in the literature.
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Abegunrin, Layi. "Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC): Towards Regional Integration of Southern Africa for Liberation." A Current Bibliography on African Affairs 17, no. 4 (June 1, 1985): 363–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/001132558501700405.
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Southern Africa has become a battleground between two ideologically and fundamentally opposed constellation of states, Pretoria and Lusaka constellations. The conflict between the two basically concerns the domestic racial policies and the future of South Africa. The Pretoria constellation was launched on July 22, 1980, and is led by P. W. Botha, the South Africa's Prime Minister. The Botha's axis is a designed strategy which essentially aims at using South Africa's economic power and wealth to manipulate its neighboring nine black ruled states; and to exert subtle pressure to ensure that they cohere with the white minority regime of South Africa. This ambition of the Pretoria constellation is a vital part of the total strategy of survival of the Botha government. This particularly involves the use of the economy as an instrument of maintaining ultimate political power and control based on the maintenance of the basic structures of apartheid. This has in turn motivated South Africa's opposition to the policies of economic and political liberation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) states. The second, the Lusaka constellation and also known as the “Southern Nine” was launched on April 1, 1980. It consists of the nine Southern African States of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The declared aim of the Southern Nine is to form an alliance which would pursue an economic strategy that would reduce or eliminate their economic dependence on South Africa. To this end, the Southern Nine and the South African-occupied territory of Namibia unanimously adopted a Programme of Action aimed at stimulating inter-state trade with the ultimate objective of economic independence from South Africa.
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Gardachew, Bewuketu Dires, Gebeyehu Mengesha Kefale, and Getahun Kumie Antigegn. "Assessing the Obstacles of Regional Integration in the Horn of Africa: the Case of IGAD." Vestnik RUDN. International Relations 19, no. 3 (December 15, 2019): 432–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.22363/2313-0660-2019-19-3-432-438.
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Since the independence of the continent, there have been failed attempts to industrialize it using import-substitution policy, which gave rise to the idea of regional integration as an instrument to facilitate structural transformation in Africa. Consequently, African countries have embraced regional integration as an essential element of their development strategies principally driven by the economic rational of overcoming the restraint of small and fractioned economies working in isolation. The establishment of the Organization for African Unity (OAU) in 1963 believed to contribute to many integration initiatives. Even after the transformation of OAU to AU, leaders of the continent once again emphasized their dedication to the idea of regional integration. Obviously, even in the future the issue will continue to be one of the main economic agendas of the continent as there is a widely shared belief that regional cooperation is crucial to tackle development challenges that cannot be addressed at a national level. The cardinal objective of this paper is to assess the obstacles of regional integration in the Horn of Africa. Hence, the findings show that political instability, conflicts, overlapping membership and weak infrastructure are the main challenges for regional integration in East Africa.
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Deych, Tatiana L. "China-Africa economic ties: Problems and outlooks." Asia and Africa Today, no. 7 (2022): 48. http://dx.doi.org/10.31857/s032150750020975-4.
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The purpose of this article is to analyze the state of China-Africa economic ties and the changes taking place in them during the COVID-19 and the aggravation of international relations. The relevance of the topic is due to the political and economic significance of China as well as the important role of African countries in the world economy and modern international relations, and to the intensification of the world powers competition for positions and influence on the continent. Beijing is Africa's leading trade partner, one of its main donors and investors. The article analyzes China's economic cooperation with African countries, the problems they faced in era of COVID-19, and the prospects for their development. China's trade and economic relations with African countries have experienced a downturn due to the pandemic, lower commodity prices and other reasons, but now we see the growth of Sino-African trade. The article also contains an analysis of the global Chinese foreign policy initiative “One Belt, One Road” (BRI), which included Africa, and the results of the participation in Chinese project for African economy. The China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC), which has been operating since 2000, remains an important factor in Chinese policy on the continent. It was confirmed in November 2021 by the 8th FOCAC conference in Dakar (Senegal), where the supply of Chinese vaccines to the continent, lending to African projects, African debts, as well as the BRI integration with African Continental Free Trade Area were among the discussed issueses. In difficult conditions due to COVID-19 and worsening of international situation China-Africa economic cooperation continues to develop. However, Beijing is making certain adjustments to it. This applies, in particular, to project lending, which has aggravated the debt problem of some African countries.
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Musara, Mazanai, and Andrew Maredza. "Intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship for intra-African trade and economic development." Ekonomski vjesnik 35, no. 2 (2022): 367–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.51680/ev.35.2.10.
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Purpose: This paper aims to conceptualize intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship and provide evidence of its impact on intra-African trade and economic development. Immigrant entrepreneurship is often regarded as a key driver of international trade and economic development around the world; yet very little is known about intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship and its role in intra-African trade and economic development in Africa. Methodology: This paper applied a systematic review of literature methodology to provide insights into the role of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship on trade and economic development of both host and home countries. Recommendations on how intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship can be used to promote intra-African trade and economic development are reviewed. Results: Policy guidelines that may increase the positive impact of immigrant entrepreneurs within the context of intra-African trade include immigration policies that attract high impact entrepreneurs, non-discriminatory support for high impact immigrant entrepreneurs as well as policies to strengthen the role of free trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Conclusion: We conclude that African regional integration to promote intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship development is a conduit for Africa’s long-term and sustainable economic development. Evidence of the positive impact of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship on intra-African trade and economic development is scant. At the same time, the notions of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship are not well documented in the literature. This paper provides arguments for the promotion of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship as a tool to increase intra-African trade and economic development.
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Holovko, Ivan. "CHAPTER 7. GLOBAL AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION PROCESSES OF AFRICA." Epistemological Studies in Philosophy Social and Political Sciences 1, no. 1 (April 16, 2024): 210–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.15421/342407.
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The advantages and disadvantages of the participation of African countries in global integration processes are studied. It emphasizes the need for a balanced engagement that protects national interests and promotes sustainable development. The multifaceted nature of integration processes in Africa has been demonstrated. The potential of integration to promote Africa's socio-economic development was highlighted and the need for cooperation, dialogue and consensus building among all stakeholders was enshrined. It has been argued that African countries should prioritize integration efforts underpinned by strong institutional capacity, effective policies and private sector involvement.
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Hailu, MB. "Regional Economic Integration in Africa: Challenges and Prospects." Mizan Law Review 8, no. 2 (May 26, 2015): 299. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/mlr.v8i2.2.
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Jenkins, Paul. "Urban Management and Economic Integration in South Africa." Habitat International 25, no. 3 (September 2001): 449–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0197-3975(00)00029-1.
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Tavares, Rodrigo, and Vanessa Tang. "Regional economic integration in Africa: impediments to progress?" South African Journal of International Affairs 18, no. 2 (August 2011): 217–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10220461.2011.588826.
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Ekpo, Akpan, and Chuku Chuku. "Regional Financial Integration and Economic Activity in Africa." Journal of African Economies 26, suppl_2 (November 1, 2017): ii40—ii75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jae/ejx030.
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Oppong, Richard Frimpong. "Legitimacy of Regional Economic Integration Courts in Africa." African Journal of Legal Studies 7, no. 1 (May 7, 2014): 61–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/17087384-12342041.
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Abstract The expansion of economic integration initiatives in Africa has been accompanied by an increase in the number of regional courts currently operating on the continent. Four of these courts have been particularly active, spinning off judgments on issues ranging from the legality of national elections to the free movement of persons. There is a modest but growing body of scholarship on the jurisprudence of the courts. However, to date, there has been little or no attempt in the academic literature to examine the legitimacy of the courts. The issue of the courts’ legitimacy is important because of the potential impact of their judgments on national legal systems and policies. This paper examines that issue. While acknowledging that the concept of legitimacy is not free of debate, it identifies a number of factors that influence the legitimacy of international courts and applies them to the regional courts. An earlier draft of this paper was presented at a workshop on the legitimacy of international courts at the Centre for International and Comparative Law, Duke University School of Law.
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Armel, Dr Kaze. "Understanding the African Continental Free Trade Area: Beyond “Single Market” to “Africa’s Rejuvenation” Analysis." Education, Society and Human Studies 1, no. 2 (July 12, 2020): p84. http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/eshs.v1n2p84.
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While global trends continue to move from integration towards heightened protectionism, and retaliatory trade measures, African countries improved their intra-regional trade levels and deepened their regional integration by launching the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA seeks to deepen Africa’s market integration at regional and continental levels; smash down tariff barriers within Africa; boost intra-Africa trade; promote regional and continental value chains; and hopefully deliver Africa’s rejuvenation. However, Africa as a continent is facing many challenges, especially its notions and concepts of development, plus the complications caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, questions are being aroused on whether African policy makers are prepared enough to overcome the AfCFTA related challenges. This article examines the mechanisms needed to fully implement the recently signed continental free trade area deal, its impact on Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and what’s in it for Africa’s major economic partners. In this article, the author will also point out existing daunting challenges and give a series of policy recommendations.
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Sumbai, Gasiano G. N. "Revival of the New East African Community: A New Era of Economic Integration or Re-division among African Regional Powers?" Tanzania Zamani: A Journal of Historical Research and Writing 11, no. 1 (March 1, 2019): 71–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.56279/tza20211114.
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This paper examines the forces behind the revival of the East African Community in 1999 and its impact on the structural economic relations in East African countries. It uses political economy as a guiding theory in the analysis. Drawing on a range of written sources ranging from documents of the East Africa Community itself and Southern Africa Development Community such as declarations, protocols, policy statements, trade statistics and parliamentary speeches and secondary sources such as books and newspapers, this paper demonstrates that the interface between the global and regional forces relating to the demise of the Cold War and an effort to create new regional and global structural relations in the post-Cold War caused East African states to revive the defunct East African Community as part of the post-Cold War realignment. Kenya as a regional economic powerhouse driven by agricultural, manufacturing, financial and tourism sectors struggled to protect her national economic interests through regional integration that would limit the growing influence of the post-Apartheid South Africa in eastern Africa. Despite the revival of the Community, the integration did not facilitate Tanzania and Uganda to address the colonial structural economic imbalances, some of which were economic legacies and others emerged during the post-colonial period. Therefore, Tanzania and Uganda continued to depend on Western Europe, North America, Japan and China as their major trading partners, source of capital and technology while Kenya continued to be a regional economic powerhouse.