Annual report on integration in Africa (ARIA): main messages

Abstract

The ARIA initiative was conceived to fill an important vacuum that currently exists, namely the absence of reliable data on economic integration which can provide a means of evaluating the integration process and identifying constraints and opportunities. Extensive and diverse studies, meetings and writings by a host of actors in the field of Africa's integration, although helpful, are often subjective, selective and ad-hoc in nature and scope. Starting from the maiden edition in year 2001, ARIA will provide an annual assessment of the status of Africa's regional integration. Thus, it will serve as an instrument for keeping track of progress on integration and a reference material for all parties involved for engaging in a more meaningful and structured dialogue on progress and shortcomings, and on how the agenda can best be supported. This very brief report has been prepared to highlight the main messages from the research materials providing the basis for the consolidation of ARIA-2001 in the coming weeks prior to the 2001 African Development Forum, and the final publication of the ARIA report thereafter.