Regional Integration Matters
Regional integration in Africa has made tremendous strides. But the work is not done.
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AMU
Algeria contributes to 42% of regional GDP but is not a top performer in regional integration, with Morocco and Tunisia ahead in regional integration scores.
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CEN-SAD
Nigeria represents 37% of regional GDP but is not in the top performers on regional integration, neither is Egypt, which represents 18% of regional GDP. Côte d’Ivoire, which is the top performing country on regional integration, represents just 3% of regional GDP.
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COMESA
Egypt is the first contributor of wealth creation in the region (with 35% of regional GDP) but is in fourth place on regional integration. Sudan and Libya are respectively second and third contributors of wealth creation but are not top performers.
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EAC
Kenya and Uganda are in the top three contributors to wealth creation in the region with 39% of regional GDP and 21% of regional GDP respectively.
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ECCAS
Angola and DRC are the principal contributors to wealth creation in the region with 36% and 19% of regional GDP respectively, but are not top performers. Cameroon is in first place and is the third contributor of regional GDP.
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ECOWAS
Nigeria is the first contributor of wealth creation in the region (75% of regional GDP), but does not feature in the top performing countries on regional integration. Côte d’Ivoire is the top performer on regional integration but only represents 6% of regional GDP.
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IGAD
Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya are the principal contributors to wealth creation in the region (29%, 28.5% and 27.7% of regional GDP respectively). Only Kenya features as the top performer on regional integration.
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SADC
South Africa represents 61% of regional GDP and is first of the top performing countries. The other top performers are not strong wealth creators in the region (Botswana, 2% of regional GDP; Namibia, 1.8% of regional GDP and Zambia, 2.5% of regional GDP).
Trade Integration
Faster, most cost-effective trade benefits business and consumers alike.
Productive Integration
Producing goods and services where countries have a comparative advantage allows nations to take part in regional and global value chains.
Macroeconomic Integration
Freeing the movement and convertibility of capital spurs investment and allocates finance to where it can be most productive.
Infrastructural Integration
Digital communications and connections by road, air, and water directly affect transaction costs, prosperity, and ultimately, stability.
Free Movement of People
Allowing people to move more freely across Africa fosters social links and makes production more efficient.
