ABSTRACT
In the particular context of Africa, regional integration has often been associated with economic growth and development, as former is believed to support achievement of the latter. Over the years, the Washington Consensus managed to become the norm or paradigm in the global development discourse. As was the case during the period of state-led developmentalism, the majority of African economies still depend on the production of a few primary commodities and a significant import of manufactured goods. The World Trade Organization was established in January 1995 to regulate and promote international trade. A well-functioning market is believed to require good governance and the adoption and subsequent enforcement of appropriate policies, which include property rights and product liability rules, bankruptcy legislation, and well-functioning bureaucratic and court systems to help coordinate various market activities. This chapter was used more particularly to highlight need for regional integration efforts to be adapted to particular circumstances and specific needs of countries involved in such processes.
