ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT This article deals with successive African attempts to achieve regional economic integration since African countries began achieving independence in the 1960s. The economic imperatives of integration in Africa notwithstanding the article observes that integration outcomes have fallen far short of lofty intentions and ambitions in achieving continental fusion. It examines the reasons for Africa's relative lack of success in securing the objectives of integration despite a plethora of regional institutions having been created, a number of increasingly ambitious regional treaties being signed with increasing frequency, and a number of initiatives being taken to revamp and revitalize integration agreements. Based on an analysis of historical experience, the article outlines the lessons that might be learnt and applied by African leaders as they again attempt to achieve overly ambitious integration objectives before they have put in place the essential building blocks for ensuring that their efforts will eventually bear fruit.
