Contribution of regional integration to economic development of member states, case study: East African community (EAC)

Abstract

The main focus of this paper is about the contribution of regional integration on economic development to member states with East African community as our case study. The efforts of EAC in pursing integration dates back to the colonial periods, it is one of the oldest regional economic communities in African continent with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The researcher used historical and descriptive analysis method in the study, with reference from secondary data related to this study. The study concluded that EAC integration has promoted trade creation as all the partners have experienced economic growth due to the integration process and therefore recommended that EAC’s success depends on the support and commitment it gets from the member states. Moving towards a Common Market, the progressive institutionalization of key organs is fundamental in sustained integration process.