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Home | What We Do | How We Do It | Knowledge Learning | Knowledge Forums | Brownbag Seminars | Are the Regional Economic Communities’ (RECs) overlapping membership an issue? A discussion on the “free rider” syndrome as applied to a small economy (Evidence from Burundi).

Are the Regional Economic Communities’ (RECs) overlapping membership an issue? A discussion on the “free rider” syndrome as applied to a small economy (Evidence from Burundi).

Presenter/s: 
Dr. R. Nantchouang Knowledge and Learning, ACBF
Venue: 
2 Fairbairn Drive Mt. Pleasant, ACBF Boardroom
Date: 
28 Feb, 2014
Time: 
11:00 – 13:00 Hrs


Abstract

Regional integration has been the vision of African leaders since independence. To date, Africa has witnessed the creation of 14 Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The integration vision of African leaders leaped forward on 3rd June 1991 when the Heads of State and Governments of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) adopted the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC).

The Abuja Treaty designates Africa’s RECs as the building blocks for stronger integration and the creation of an African Economic Community as the last stage toward the full integration of Africa. Africa’s regional economic communities are making progress in Africa’s attempt to integrate. And , even though the African Union recognizes only eight RECs, the continent currently hosts 14 inter-governmental organizations, working on regional integration issues, with various objectives, numerous treaties and protocols governing inter-state relations that , overlap in such an imbroglio that has been described as the “the Spaghetti Bowl Effect”.

Countries are aware of the consequences of multiple memberships. However, why does this phenomenon persist? In this discussion, we argue that it is in the interest of a small and landlocked country to belong to the same REC as all its neighbors. In case all the neighboring countries do not belong to the same regional economic community, it is in such a country’s interest to be a member of the RECs neighboring countries belong to. In such a situation, the country will experience overlapping membership, with potential overwhelming costs. The country could therefore have no choice, consciously or not, but to adopt the “free rider” syndrome.

We will apply this analysis to the case of Burundi and will be using the findings from the ongoing survey on the African RECs capacity needs assessment.

Thomas Kwesi Quartey

ACBF has been granted the status of a specialized agency because of the potential to transform Africa through capacity development.


H.E. Thomas Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson, AU Commission
Erastus Mwencha

The recognition of ACBF as the African Union’s Specialized Agency for Capacity Development launches the beginning of a new era for capacity building by ACBF, which will require an appropriate level of political commitment and financial support from all stakeholders.


H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Chair, ACBF Executive Board
Lamin Momodou

The remarkable achievements ACBF has registered over the past 26 years is not by accident in our opinion. They have come through hard work, dedication, commitment, purposeful leadership, support from the member countries as well as productive partnership building.


Mr. Lamin Momodou MANNEH, Director, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
Goodall Gondwe

Africa needs ACBF as much, probably more now, than at the time it was created in 1991.


Hon. Goodall Gondwe, former Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors and Minister of Finance – Malawi
Ken Ofori Atta

Ghana’s partnership with ACBF is a tremendous blessing for us and therefore the opportunity for Ghana to host the 26th ACBF Board of Governors Meeting is something that we treasure.


Hon Ken Ofori Atta, Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors and Minister of Finance - Ghana
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