Institution Building for African Regionalism

Arbeitspapier

Since the 1960s, African states have embraced regional integration as a vital mechanism for political cooperation and for pooling resources to overcome problems of small and fragmented economies. In building meaningful institutions for regionalism, however, Africans have faced the challenges of reconciling the diversities of culture, geography, and politics. As a result, African regional institutions are characterized by multiple and competing mandates and weak institutionalization. This study illustrates these themes by comparing two continental institutions—the African Union and its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and subregional institutions—the Economic Commission of Central African States, the Economic Community of West African States, the Common Market for East and Southern African States, the Community of the Sahel-Saharan States, and the Arab Maghreb Union. By focusing on the institutional structures, mandates, and contributions of these organizations in their geographical domains, the study probes the links between policy articulation and outcomes. The conclusion focuses on lessons that African regionalism can inform Asian integration experiences.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: ADB Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration ; No. 85

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic Integration ; International Institutional Arrangements ; Economic History: Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Extractive Industries: Asia including Middle East ; International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations ; Economywide Country Studies: Africa ; Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
• Subject: African Regionalism ; Regional Integration ; Africa ; African Union ; United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Khadiagala, Gilbert M.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• (where): Manila
• (when): 2011

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/109596
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET