I.A.M - Magazine - Page 42
LEADERS CORNER
“GOOD GOVERNANCE
is Key to the effective
integration of Africa.”
Professor Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary General (AfDB Group)
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 I.A.M, Professor
Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary General of the AfDB, offers insights on navigating this critical yet
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.
I.A.M: 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 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.
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Collective action through integration also strengthens
Africa's resilience to pandemics. For example how the
AfDB, Africa CDC and AUC coordinated response to
Covid-19, 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.
