Economic Cooperation and Integration in Africa: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The economic and political benefits of cooperation and integration in Africa are, at a general level, attractive and easy to understand. Ad, in the post-independence period, African countries gave sign various treaties -- no doubt after taking into account the costs involved -- establishing sub-regional economic groupings. In a historical context, there has on the whole been limited success in achieving the immediate objectives of cooperation and integration schemes -- like raising the level of intra-regional trade -- and the higher aim of raising the average rate of economic growth for the cooperating countries. In spite of modest fains, however, there has been in recent years, a new and positive mood, strongest at the sub-regional level, toward economic cooperation and integration. This mood has culminated in the ratification of the Abuja Treaty in 1994, establishing the African Economic Community. Given the limited Progresse on African integration, on the one hand, and the...