Experts meeting on regional integration in Africa held in Douala

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), will host a meeting of the Group of Experts (RGE) from 20 June to 22 June 2024 in Douala, Cameroon.

The meeting was held to review the 11th edition of the African Regional Integration Assessment Report (ARIA-11), which focused on achieving the goals of the African Economic Community, including the establishment of a Customs Union Continental and Common Market.

Meeting objectives and participants

The ARIA-11 report assesses the progress made since the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, a proposed single market for goods and services among the 54 member countries (Zinc). It examines the necessary conditions for establishing a continental customs union and common market under the Abuja Treaty and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. The expert meeting aims to improve the consistency, methodological soundness and robustness of reported data. Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AUC, AfCFTA Secretariat, AfDB, Afreximbank, National Commission on University Educationacademia, civil society and the private sector are participating in this review.

History of Regional Integration in Africa

Since the late 1950s, regional integration has become a priority direction of regional development. Africaaimed at overcoming market fragmentation inherited from the colonial era. The African Continental Free Trade Area, adopted in 2018 as part of Agenda 2063, is a key initiative to accelerate economic integration. Although the African Continental Free Trade Area is different from the Abuja Treaty roadmap, it helps achieve basic goals, including the establishment of a continental customs union and common market.