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Cameroon: Nkafu Debate Touts Game Changing Potentials of AfCFTA for Regional Integration in ECCAS

May 27, 2023

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

Panelists speak during the Nkafu Debate on May 24, 2023, on the theme “be it resolved, regional integration in Africa is the result of public demand

BUEA, May 26, 2023 – The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is seen as a game changer for regional integration in the ECCAS region. AfCFTA has the potential to significantly boost intraregional trade and break Africa’s longstanding dependence on foreign countries as export destinations and sources of imports and investment, while also defragmenting the continent and bringing its economies into the global economy.

Speaking during the Nkafu Debate on May 24, 2023, on the theme "Be it resolved, regional integration in Africa is the result of public demand, Dr Jean Cedric Kouam, Deputy Director, Economic Affairs, Nkafu Policy Institute said: "We need the political will to improve the business climate, infrastructure..."

"CEEAC has close to 225 million users. The inertia of leaders to make decisions and implement policies is the major brake to regional integration… The history of regional integration is more than half a century old. Political will is enough to put an end to the various crises that CEEAC faces,” Dr Jean Cedric Kouam added.

Integration across sub-Saharan Africa has been most notable through trade, steadily increasing in intensity over time: since the 1980s the share of regional exports in total exports has more than tripled. Sub-Saharan Africa now has the highest share of intraregional trade integration among the world’s emerging market and developing economies, followed by the Middle East and North Africa and emerging and developing Asia.

“People can lend a strong hand to politicians through a class of businessmen who will move the lines," said Dr Barnabe Okouda, Executive Director, CAMERCAP-PARC. "Either we move forward or we die in this process of integration. We need to improve our impact on civil society. The people must take the lead."

If we wait for the right time to integrate, there will never be the right time. Power is in the hands of the people," Dr Okouda added.

Either we move forward or we die on this process of integration. We need to improve our impact to civil society, Dr Barnabe Okouda said

Africa’s drive towards regional integration received a boost in 1991 with the adoption of the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) as an integral part of the OAU, now AU. The Treaty establishes the African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as the pillars of the integration process. Among these is the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), established in 1983.

During its first decade of existence, ECCAS recorded mixed results, aggravated by the numerous conflicts to which its member countries were subjected, both within and outside their borders, leading ECCAS to focus its main priorities on maintaining peace, security and stability, which are essential conditions for economic and social development, physical, economic and monetary integration, and the development of a culture of human integration.

"In 1998, the ECCAS region was restructured and expanded to include not only economic issues but also political and security issues. Despite these changes, ECCAS remains one of the least integrated regions and one whose borders are least open to its members." Anthony Antem, Research Associate, Nkafu Policy Institute said.

“Whether it is from the African Union or other groupings or the public demand, regional integration is of vital importance to the sustainable development of Africa.”

According to participants regional integration is of vital importance to the sustainable development of Africa

About Nkafu Policy Institute

The Nkafu Policy Institute is an independent, non-partisan think tank of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Its mission is to provide independent, in-depth and insightful policy recommendations that advance the Cameroonian economy and the economies of other sub-Saharan African countries. Nkafu seeks to advance public policies that help all Africans prosper in free, fair and sustainable economies. Its reputation is based on its independence, high-quality research and innovative policy prescriptions.

About Open Society Foundation-Africa

OSF-Africa’s vision is to build a globally respected, dynamic and integrated Africa characterized by democratic governance, sustainable development and economic systems that produce more just, inclusive and accountable outcomes with and for Africa's people and environment. In pursuit of this vision, OSF-Africa's mission is to advance gender justice and women's rights, deepen democracy, accountable governance and inclusive development in Africa through participatory and strategic grant-making and advocacy.

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