It is highly argued that socioeconomic integration of African countries is the most fundamental instrument needed for the region’s transformation and sustainable development.
- How is the current business climate in Africa’s regional and economic groupings?
- What are the difficulties associated with travel and visa requirements for member countries within RECs and Africa in general?
- Which are the capacity challenges affecting the ease of doing business in the RECs and Africa at large?
- What are the lessons that RECs within Africa can borrow from each other, especially from the East African Community (EAC) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which have either fully achieved or have good progress in free trade area, customs union, common market and monetary union?
- Which other challenges are affecting the realization of Africa’s full regional and economic cooperation?
- What are the roles of different stakeholders in addressing the RECs capacity gaps and the other challenges for a successful African Economic Community?
In supporting this viewpoint, the African Community of Practice (AfCOP) Secretariats has an interesting online debate and discussion on the topic:
“African Regional and Economic Integration: Challenges of Doing Business, Travelling, Visa Requirements, and Lessons from Regions with Successful Regional Integration”
Join the discussion here or comment below . Members who are unable to participate online could send their comments or case studies by email to the moderator, Dr. Sheka Bangura, at [email protected] – for English and Mr. Frejus THOTO at [email protected] – for French
Related:
Africa Capacity Report 2014: Capacity Imperatives for Regional Integration in Africa
Looking beyond trade and infrastructure programs is critical to successful regional integration
Regional Integration key to achieving Agenda 2063
Bold approach to capacity building needed to foster regional integration
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