Harmonising EAC, SADC, COMESA is Laudable

The resolution to harmonise the working of EAC, SADC and COMESA regional economic communities is a welcome move. The tripartite summit in pursuit of the African Union's broader objectives to accelerate the continent’s economic integration  will not only eliminate previously competing interests within the regional blocs, but also put Africa in tandem with international organizations such as the EU,based on similar principles.

A key hindrance to integration in Africa has been the multiplicity of regional economic communities with overlapping memberships, lack of real political commitment and poor private sector participation. African leaders ought to shun petty politics and accelerate the inter-regional economic integration as this will open up the region for intra-Africa trade, political stability, high democratic ideals, value added goods and a stronger bargaining power in the global market.

African governments must steadfastly support this move and ensure that it is not politically driven, but business driven. The time for African entrepreneurs to exploit the 525 million people-strong market is long overdue.