Potential and Challenges of Regional Integration in the Political Economy of Africa

This study explored the regional integration in Africa’s political economy. The study found that regional integration in Africa has the potential to improve economic markets, provision of public goods and infrastructure, social expenditure, poverty reduction and employment, taxation and revenue generation, money regulation and inflation, peace, security and political stability. Moreover, the study found that several underlying challenges related to inadequate political commitment, poor policy design, inadequate coordination, lack harmonization, weak infrastructural, human and institutional capacity, small economies, limited financial resources, civil wars, interstate conflicts and multiplicity of regional integration schemes are negatively affecting the potential of regional integration in Africa. The study recommends that focus should be made on harmonization of domestic policies with the regional policies to ensure adequate inter-state coordination and regional integration. States should also work towards ensuring adequate institutional, human, infrastructural capacity, factors which are prerequisites of success of a regional integration. Moreover, the political will by the leadership of the member countries should support and ensure that obligations are met as intended.