The Implications of the Preferential Trade Area for Economic Integration in Eastern and Southern Africa

Two of the most significant regional organizations to emerge in Southern Africa in recent years are the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), with nine members, and the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa (PTA), comprised of fourteen states including five SADCC members. Although their purposes and programs are similar and steadily converging, SADCC and PTA exhibit distinct differences in their origins, memberships, institutional structures, financial patrons, ideologies, and strategies. Although national development remains the ultimate aim of both bodies, reducing external dependency, especially in the case of SADCC on South Africa, and regional cooperation are seen as essential to success. While obvious areas of conflict exist, the two organizations may be able to restrain their rivalry in the interests of their members and possibly of their own survival.

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FROM PTA TO COMESA: THE QUEST FOR SUB-REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

African Yearbook of International Law Online / Annuaire Africain de droit international Online ◽

10.1163/221161798x00012 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. xi-22

Author(s):

Michael Gondwe

Keyword(s):

Economic Integration ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Regional Economic Integration ◽

Regional Economic ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa

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Integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: history and prospects for development

Bulletin of Mariupol State University. Series: History. Political Studies ◽

10.34079/2226-2830-2020-10-28-29-52-62 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (28-29) ◽

pp. 52-62

Author(s):

Mariia Kravchenko ◽

Keyword(s):

Free Trade ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Regional Integration ◽

Free Trade Area ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Unity ◽

Economic Community ◽

Trade Area ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa

The article deals with the main integration associations of such a promising but controversial region, as Sub-Saharan Africa. The author emphasizes the continuity of regional integration associations’ formation that goes back to the colonial times, to the first half of the 20th century. Periodization of ongoing integration processes in Sub-Saharan Africa is proposed in the research. Key milestones for the further regional integration were: - 1963, the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU); and the beginning of Independence for many postcolonial countries of Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1980, the Lagos Plan of Action adoption that led to the establishment in future of the following integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: ECOWAS, Economic Community of West African States; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa; ECCAS, Economic Community of Central African States; - 1991, the signing of the Abuja Treaty, which called for the African Economic Community creation as the new stage for economic cooperation and integration of the continent, including Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1999-2002, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) transition into the African Union (AU), launching of new partnerships and integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, increased integration. At the beginning of the 21st century, there are serious economic and political factors for disintegration in the region. Nevertheless, the following integration associations, as stated in the article, proved to be effective: SADC, Southern African Development Community; EAC, East African Community; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. The author argues that the existence since 2015 the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) between EAC, COMESA and SADC marks a significant step forward for strengthening of integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as for the achievement of African Union’s purpose to provide the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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