Regional Integration in Africa - a False Promise? The Case Study of the East African Community

Abstract

The strides made by African economies in achieving economic growth must be accompanied by efforts to boost long-term competitiveness if the continent is to ensure sustainable improvements in living standards. Regional integration in developing countries does not enjoy great esteem among economists. It is often argued that north-south integration is superior to south-south integration. The reasons usually mentioned why regional integration is unsuccessful in developing countries are the similarity of their economic structure, market size, lack of dynamism in their economic development and lack of commitment. Key objectives of this study was to assess the benefits of regional integration in Africa; to establish the promises made by EAC to ordinary citizens of member states and to suggest options of promoting the benefits of regional integration especially to ordinary citizens of member states of the EAC. This study seeks to employ the customs union theory and functionalism theory as relevant and useful in the analysis of its key issues. Different studies been conducted on the effectiveness of regional integration in relation to the accomplishment of the set objectives mostly focusing on the effects of integration on promises made to EAC member states. Nonetheless, there has been no study carried out to establish if regional integration has been a false promise to EAC member states hence this study. The research employed the use of exploratory research design. This type of research design is often conducted in new areas of inquiry, where the goals of the research are to scope out the magnitude or extent of a particular phenomenon, problem, or behavior. Secondary data was collected using published material and information from other sources such as annual reports, published data. The qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. The study established that EAC has enviable achievements in the socioeconomic and political-security realms, making East Africa one of the most integrated regions in the world. Regional integration process is deepening particularly due to the expanding scope of the legislative instruments, coordination of national economic and social policies, the expansion of trade between EAC countries as well as its trade with the rest of the world. The region has increased both inter- and intra-regional trade, and has also witnessed an increase in intra-EAC Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) as well as in FDI from outside. The study also found out that EAC promises to its member states were categorized into social and political benefits. The benefits arise from the customs union, which entails a common external tariff, duty-free and quota-free movement of tradable goods within the EAC, common safety measures for regulating the importation of goods from third Party. It was also concluded that despite having a colonial origin, EAC has fulfilled most of its promises to it‘s member states. EAC has ensured prevalence of peace will benefit them to exchange goods and also sell their commodities to neighboring countries and the world without a problem.