Economic cooperation in Africa

Regionalism, Ahmad Aly argues persuasively, is the most appropriate strategy for the achievement of autonomous, self-sustained development in Africa. Aly traces the causes of the failure thus far of attempts at economic cooperation in the continent, citing in particular the adoption of inappropriate integration schemes, the multiplicity of overlapping arrangements, the dominance of politics, and, most fundamentally, the widening gap between aspirations and reality. After assessing the performance of the major cooperation and integration efforts, he proposes a three-stage scenario for gradual change. Eschewing wishful thinking and quick fixes, Aly's analysis draws on both sound economic theory and his own direct experience to fashion a workable response to the demands of Africa's current economic problems.