Foreword

African Union Heads of State and Government have adopted and are pursuing regional integration as an overarching continental development strategy. The vision at the continental level is to achieve an African Economic Community (AEC) as the last of six successive stages that involve the strengthening of sectoral cooperation and establishment of regional free trade areas (FTAs), a continental customs union, a common market, and a monetary and economic union. The rationale behind this phased approach is that the integration vision should be first consolidated atregional level, through creating and strengthening the regional economic communities (RECs), which would eventually merge into the AEC.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions