Assessment of progress on regional integration in Africa

Abstract

Regional integration has historically been a priority for the development agenda in Africa. The first experience with integration in Africa began with the Customs Union Agreement of 1910. Currently, there are a number of regional economic communities in Africa. In addition, continental programmes and initiatives have been put in place to support the African integration agenda. These include, among others, Agenda 2063 of the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Minimum Integration Programme, the Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial Development in Africa, the Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade, and the Continental Agribusiness Strategy. Most recently, continental integration has reached a new milestone with the signing of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.