Regional Integration: An Assessment Of Economic Community Of West African States Ecowas And Southern African Development Community (Sadc)
SANUSI Tasiu Saulawa
Institute of International Trade and Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
HAMMAJUMBA Mohammed
Institute of International Trade and Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Keywords: African, Community, Content analysis, DOT, ECOWAS, SADC
Abstract
The paper assessed regional integration in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The aim of the study is to assess the performance of ECOWAS and SADC in Africa in terms of exports and imports trade. The study used library science method and content analysis by obtaining secondary data or information from IMF Direction of Trade (DOT) statistics, text books, magazines and online. The paper showed that ECOWAS and SADC are characterized by small economies and small markets. Also, the paper showed that, ECOWAS and SADC have not done well in terms of infrastructural development, political stability and macroeconomic performance such as inflation, unemployment and stable economic growth. It is recommended that more emphasis should be placed on achieving macroeconomic goals by increasing the volume of exports of manufactured commodities while reducing the consumption of imported commodities that can be produced in the region. Also African leaders at the helm of affairs in the various countries should cultivate the culture of political stability as it is obtainable in the developed world. More so, leaders in both ECOWAS and SADC should ensure that infrastructural development are provided for its citizens in order to promote development