Challenges of Regional Integration in Africa: The case study of the New East African Community.
Loading...
Date
2019-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, School of law.
Abstract
This research study aimed at the assessment of the challenges of regional integration in Africa
focusing on the New East African Community. The specific objectives of the study were to
determine the political Factors Promoting EAC Growth and Development, to examine the extent
to which the East African countries are prepared to achieve full integration and to identify the
possible solutions to the various constraints. The research adopted the transformative mixed
approach. This provided for a framework for topics of interest, methods for data collection and
outcomes or changes anticipated by the study and involved sequential or a concurrent approach.
The targeting population of the study was selected randomly and included 150 individuals.
Sample sizes of 109 respondents were selected. The study used both primary and secondary data
collection methods including document review and interviews. Data were collected using
questionnaire surveys and employed a face to face interview methods as well as documentary
review. The researcher used face-to- face interview with the employee from Uganda Ministry of
East Africa Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies of
Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi in Uganda. The study found out
respondents’ biographic data based on their sex, age, education level, marital status and time
spent in the community and experience. Findings in this study showed that that overall mean
rating for political factors influencing development in the EAC region was computed at 73.6%,
which is relatively modest. The analysis has indicated, however, that the following factors are
showing a positive path to progress in political integration. These factors received a rating of
75% and above. One of these is the fact that there is an enhanced sense of East African identity,
developing from modern communications. The study identified that there is no single approach
that can wholly describe and prescribe the progress of the EAC integration process. It finds,
rather, that a mixed theory approach is more effective, where various theories describe and
prescribe the EAC integration at various stages of the process, Despite this finding the study
concludes that the political will might be high at the highest level but the rest of the levels do not
fare as well. To accelerate the process of integration, investments on basic infrastructure such as
railways, roads, electricity and access to water need to be prioritized in order to connect the
region as well as providing favorable conditions for commerce to thrive. Difficulty in the
movement of people, goods and services create a hindrance to the process of integration. Nontariff
barriers create such a hindrance and hence the EAC should strive to completely eliminate
them. The study recommends the development of a legislative fi’amework (laws, policies and
guide lines) for Community Development within partner states. Harmonization of
democratization policies, processes and practices. In doing so, the EAC should embrace policies
on human development, social benefit, and protection, across the region. This would enable EAC
member states realize a common identity, a feature that is prerequisite for integration in the
region. The East Africa citizenry needs to be informed and educated more about the integration
process. The EAC secretariat ought to conduct massive civic education programmes around East
Africa for the public to know how they can get involved in the process. It will as well inform
them of the benefits to them and the huge opportunities that lie in an integrated East Africa.
Description
A research project Submitted to the College of Humanities and
Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment for the Award
of the Degree of International Relations and
Diplomatic Studies of Kampala
International University.
Keywords
Regional Integration, Challenges, East African Community