Abstract:
Regional integration arrangements have mushroomed worldwide, both on intra-regional and
extra-regional levels. On an intra-regional level, Africa faces a complicated grid of multiple
and overlapping membership of several regional integration organisations, aiming to increase
intra-regional trade and cooperation. In this study, a comparative analysis will be executed,
based on an intra-regional breakdown of trade, using the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa classification of countries according to geographical region. The level of
intra-regional trade will be determined, whereafter the level of inter-regional trade will be
established and, lastly, trade with the rest of the world. It seems that despite the high level of
regional integration within Africa, it does not necessarily stimulate intra-Africa trade to
expected levels as proposed by literature. A regional integration strategy that would cause
deeper integration is crucial if the continent is to play a rightful role in the global arena.
