Briefing Paper

The Challenges of Regional Integration in Africa In the Context of Globalisation and the Prospects for a United States of Africa

“In the paper the theme of regional economic
integration within the AU’s notion of building a United States of Africa is explored. The validity of the proposition that political integration is a desirable strategy for overcoming Africa’s deep-seated
developmental challenges is critically assessed. The old model of regionalism, cast on the ideological paradigm of Pan-Africanism with its primary focus on
politics rather than economics, is incompatible with the new challenges of globalisation. Lastly prospects for Africa’s economic progress, focusing on trade reform under the current political arrangement and in the context of globalisation,is assessed.”