African Journal of
Political Science and International Relations

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pol. Sci. Int. Relat.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0832
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPSIR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 411

Article in Press

Africa's Integration Trajectory: Unveiling the Triad of Economy, Institutions, and Politics

Frida Frans

  •  Accepted: 10 January 2024
Similar to many regions globally, Africa has witnessed significant enthusiasm for regionalism. The push for Integration across the continent initially arose from a shared commitment to tackle common challenges with the thinking that regional Integration in Africa has the potential to fuel robust and equitable economic growth, mitigate poverty and unemployment, and drive initiatives for intra-regional trade and security. Drawing on the latest scholarly research and empirical evidence, this paper thoroughly examines Africa's regional Integration, exploring the interconnected dynamics of economy, institutions, and politics. Examining the historical evolution, the paper systematically navigates through Africa's economic projects, spotlighting initiatives, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the previously initiated projects on Africa's integration journey. A detailed analysis of Africa's integration status through Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the Africa Regional Integration Index (ARII) reveals varied progress among RECs and challenges in achieving high levels of Integration, with the East African Community emerging as a leading integrated community. While recognizing the contributions of institutions like the AU and development banks, ongoing evaluations highlight the imperative of continuous efforts for sustained progress. The research uncovers challenges in political Integration, including inadequate infrastructure, limited political will, and national sovereignty dilemmas, emphasizing the recognition of informal regional actors for a broader social base. The research concludes with a forward-looking perspective, acknowledging Africa's pivotal global role and addressing the emerging new scramble for Africa.

Keywords: Africa Integration, Development, AfCFTA, RECs, African Union, Governance, Political history, Regional Integration, Economic Development