Africa’s trade blocs were designed to unite the continent: four reasons they haven’t delivered

Africa’s leaders must urgently rationalise the mission of regional integration and ensure that common political values underpin its ambitions.

By: Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Tufts University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 16, 2026

Words: 1,143

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

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By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Tufts University

In a rapidly fracturing world, regional integration could be a source of resilience for the African continent.

The African Union agreed in 2019 to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area founded on the building blocks laid by eight regional economic communities. These are the Arab Maghreb Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (Cen-Sad), the …

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