Economic Integration in Africa The East African Community in Comparative Perspective

In this work, Richard E. Mshomba offers an in-depth analysis of economic integration in Africa with a focus on the East African Community (EAC), arguably the most ambitious of all the regional economic blocs currently in existence in Africa. Economic Integration in Africa provides more than just an overview of regional economic blocs in Africa; it also offers a rich historical discussion on the birth and death of the first EAC starting with the onset of colonialism in the 1890s, and a systematic analysis of the birth, growth, and aspirations of the current EAC. Those objectives include forming a monetary union and eventually an East African political federation. This book also examines the African Union's aspirations for continent-wide integration as envisioned by the Abuja Treaty. Mshomba carefully argues that maturity of democracy and good governance in each country are prerequisites for the formation of a viable and sustainable East African federation and genuine continent-wide integration.

1. Introduction; 2. Regional economic integration in Africa; 3. The colonial background of the former East African community; 4. The rise and fall of the former East African Community; 5. The birth and growth of the current East African Community: the Customs Union; 6. The common market; 7. The road to monetary union; 8. Aspirations for an East African political federation; 9. Aspirations for continent-wide integration; 10. Conclusion; Bibliography.

Richard E. Mshomba is Professor of Economics at La Salle University, Philadelphia. Born and raised in Tanzania, he received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is the author of Africa in the Global Economy (2000), a Choice Outstanding Academic Book, and Africa and the World Trade Organization (Cambridge, 2009).