AFRICA AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION: THE CHALLENGES

Abstract

This study interrogates the regional integration in Africa with emphasis on the challenges. Data was obtained from secondary sources such as academic journals, books and official reports. Content analysis method was also adopted for the research. It was explained from the prism of the Regional Integration Theory. The study concludes that regional integration in Africa will serve as a vehicle for Africa’s socio-economic development. However, poor human development (human capital), poor infrastructure and the overlapping membership of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa are the challenges of regional integration in Africa. In order to realize the potentials of regional integration in Africa, this work recommend that, the African Union (AU) countries should ensure counterpart funding on education, health and informal economy should be encouraged among nation-states of AU. The establishment of joint border patrol between and among member states of RECs to curb the incidence of trans-border criminal activities; the deepening of internal democracy within AU member states so as to make citizens to be civil in their dealings, imbue in leaders and security agencies greater respect for people’s rights and freedoms. The construction of power plant for energy; good roads and railroads among states of Africa should be encouraged. Counterpart funding among AU member states should be institutionalised. The member states of the AU should rationalise their relations with states in Africa and others. This is to allow synergy in terms of policies for the common development of Africa.