Challenges and Prospects of African Integration; a Comparative Analysis of the Eac and Comesa (2000-2020)

Abstract

This study sought to make a critical analysis of the challenges and prospects of the African integration by making a comparative analysis between the EAC and COMESA since the year 2000. Among the key questions the study sought to answer included; What Contribution has COMESA and EAC made towards the realization of African Integration? And; what challenges does COMESA and EAC experience which slow down their capacity to properly aid the Integration of Africa? The study was anchored on the theory of Liberal Institutionalism which argued that in order for regional bodies such as EAC and COMESA to realize their intended objectives, they must create regional institutions with specialized functions to operate across the member’s states. The study was qualitative in nature since it employed both primary sources of data collection such as the Interview Guide and the secondary sources of data collection such as the books, journal articles among others. The study relied on purposive sampling as its main sampling procedure. Data was analyzed using qualitative techniques such as content analysis as well as making interpretations and making inferences or attaching meaning. The study established that both the EAC and COMESA stood a very high chance of realizing their objectives which was in line with the African Unions Vision 2063 that sought to foster African Integration. Among the successes of COMESA and EAC in promoting African integration was by way of growth and expansion of Intra-regional trade, intra-regional security, increased immigration, increased intra-regional sports competition and Educational exchange programs, Among the identified challenges which continued to negatively impact on these two regional bodies included; the Sovereignty question, double membership of states, absence of political goodwill, external interference and ideological differences. The study recommended that the two regional bodies should consider collapsing themselves into one bigger regional grouping since they have the same objectives, harmonization of ideologies, promotion of increased consultations, as well as incorporating the views of the general through public participation.