I.A.M - Magazine - Page 29
LEADERS CORNER
“Good governance is a
KEY BACKBONE to the effective
integration of Africa.”
Professor Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary General (AfDB)
As Africa pushes for deeper integration, removing the continent's stubborn yet surmountable
challenges to progress is inarguably key. In this wide-ranging interview with IAM, Professor
necessary path. From the essential role of good governance structures to the game-changing promise
of the AfCFTA, he presents an optimistic vision of how collective action will drive resilience,
innovation, and shared growth in Africa's integration journey.
IAM: What does Regional Integration mean in the
African context, and why is it critical for the
continent's development?
Prof Nmehielle: Regional integration in Africa is about
strategic unity in all aspects, guided by principles rooted
in the continent's unique realities and outlined in
continental and regional treaties and protocols. It is
driven by the belief that collective action, economies of
scale, and pooled resources are essential for the
sustainable development of a fragmented continent and
designed to promote cooperation across social, political,
cultural, and economic domains.
Integration is also pivotal for Africa's development as it
enables market expansion, enhances trade, and fosters
economic resilience. African countries, often have small,
fragmented economies, limiting their ability to attract
significant investment or benefit from economies of
scale. Integration addresses this by creating larger,
unified markets, exemplified by the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As the AfDB often emphasizes,
regional
integration
also
supports
economic
diversification and industrialization by promoting regional
value chains and reducing reliance on raw commodity
exports.
Beyond economic benefits, integration fosters peace
and stability through political cooperation via bodies like
the African Union and ECOWAS, which play key roles in
conflict prevention and governance. Collective action
through integration also strengthens Africa's resilience to
07 ||
external shocks, as we saw during the COVID-19
pandemic when coordinated responses by the AfDB,
Africa CDC and AUC proved crucial in managing the
crisis.
That said, how important is good governance in
achieving effective regional integration?
Good governance is absolutely essential. Without strong
governance frameworks at national, regional and
continental levels, the goals of integration are unlikely to
be fully realized.
Good governance ensures that policies, agreements,
and regulations are effectively implemented and adhered
to across member states. Strong institutions,
transparency, and accountability are critical for
harmonizing trade rules, infrastructure projects, and
financial systems, which are key pillars of integration.
Without good governance, issues like corruption, weak
enforcement, and inconsistent policies can undermine
trust among countries and slow down the integration
process.
Additionally, stable political environments and respect for
the rule of law encourage investment, smooth
cross-border trade, and public support for integration
initiatives. It also ensures that the benefits of integration
are widely distributed, reducing inequality and potential
resistance. In essence, good governance acts as the
backbone of effective regional integration, enabling
African countries to collaborate successfully and achieve
shared development goals.
