THE CULTURE OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA: A REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1960

The culture of regional economic and political integration has been the centre-spread of agenda for African development ever since the demise of colonialism more than half a century ago. However, this aspiration still remains largely unfulfilled as progress has not really gone beyond the level of minimalist inter-governmental cooperation with obvious negative consequences for the future of the marginalised continent. This paper relied on secondary elaboration techniques to present Anthro- historical review of extant literatures from journals, textbooks, position papers and other secondary sources to present efforts towards African integration in multi-perspectives. It examines the phases of African integration from Pan Africanism through the organization of African Unity and up to the African union. The review analyses practical efforts geared towards African economic integration from the African trade liberalization policies, privatization and commercialization policies to the establishment of African Development Bank. The review also brings to fore the problems militating against African economic integration. Extant literature reviewed point to the fact that regional integration of the continent is being hampered by many deficiencies, particularly the lack of clear leadership, the iron law of impenetrable national sovereignty and African Unity being used as an ideological slogan instead of a rallying call for concerted effort towards sustained growth and stability. This may fortify the pessimistic conclusion that the prospect of real change for the better in Africa remains a remote aspiration. Based on extant literatures reviewed, this paper maintains the position that, there is now renewed impetus to establish closer economic and political ties among the continent’s numerous countries, based on a heightened appreciation of the need for regional integration. The paper concludes, that the benefits of regional integration, and indeed globalisation, remain a critical part of Africa’s workable development strategy. This would hopefully see the African Union realising the continent’s dream of a single currency and central bank within the shortest possible period in line with her goal of halving the menace of poverty on African continent.