Integrating Africa through a SACU and COMESA FTA - Speeding up the Regional Integration Process

This paper looks at the complicated overlapping trade arrangements in Southern Africa and explores how to simplify these arrangements, unlock scarce capacity and speed up regional integration in Africa. The paper responds to questions including whether regional integration is beneficial for Africa, whether overlapping membership of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are hampering or helping integration and what the practical reality of a customs union in SADC is. In looking for the quickest way to integrate markets in Africa, would a union between the largest REC in Africa (COMESA) and the oldest customs union in the world (SACU) be a viable option? In the context of South Africa's external trade policy and commitment to Africa the paper also explores economic and political reasons why such a union might be worth pursuing.