Abstract
Since the independence of the continent, there have been failed attempts to industrialize it using import-substitution policy, which gave rise to the idea of regional integration as an instrument to facilitate structural transformation in Africa. Consequently, African countries have embraced regional integration as an essential element of their development strategies principally driven by the economic rational of overcoming the restraint of small and fractioned economies working in isolation. The establishment of the Organization for African Unity (OAU) in 1963 believed to contribute to many integration initiatives. Even after the transformation of OAU to AU, leaders of the continent once again emphasized their dedication to the idea of regional integration. Obviously, even in the future the issue will continue to be one of the main economic agendas of the continent as there is a widely shared belief that regional cooperation is crucial to tackle development challenges that cannot be addressed at a national level. The cardinal objective of this paper is to assess the obstacles of regional integration in the Horn of Africa. Hence, the findings show that political instability, conflicts, overlapping membership and weak infrastructure are the main challenges for regional integration in East Africa.
Highlights
The Vision of the African Union is to become an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.African Union Agenda 2063The project of regional integration initiatives in Africa have a long history, dating back to the 20th century with the establishment of some groupings1
This is driven by the wide recognition that regional cooperation is vital to tackle development challenges that cannot be solved at a national level [Byiers 2016]
In Africa regional integration and cooperation has been one of the issue and will continue to be the top agenda in the future. This is driven by the wide recognition that regional cooperation is vital to tackle development challenges that cannot be solved at the national level
Summary
The Vision of the African Union is to become an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. Statement of the Problem Regional integration and cooperation have long been high on the agenda for African countries, regions and their organizations This is driven by the wide recognition that regional cooperation is vital to tackle development challenges that cannot be solved at a national level [Byiers 2016]. One of a regional economic community which is recognized as building bloc by the African Union in the Horn of Africa is IGAD. Given the subject of regional integration continues to occupy a center-stage in the economic agenda of Africans in general and the Horn of Africa in particular, this piece of paper aims to investigate those obstacles that hindered IGAD’s vision of overall regional integration in the region. Examining and analyzing the literature that exists on this topic as an instrument of data collection is the major priority
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
