THE COMESA-EAC-SADC TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFRICAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC)

Abstract

The ultimate objective of regional integration in Africa is to create an economically integrated African market - the African Economic Community (AEC), within 34 years, from 1994 to 2028, by following the phases provided in the Abuja Treaty. The African Union, as the promoter of that process recognizes eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs) for the fulfilment of its objective. However, the process faces several obstacles, from the states’ multiple membership in RECs to the excessive Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers. It is in this perspective that this study aims at demonstrating how the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Agreement intends to overcome those obstacles and gives Africa the economic integration of its markets. Following a qualitative approach, the study offers a pragmatic result by recognizing that the Tripartite Agreement is a huge step towards the effective implementation of the AEC. Nevertheless, it also recognizes that many challenges are faced for the implementation, including the asymmetries of the African economies joining the Agreement, the lack of infrastructures and the institutional weakness.