Challenges Of Regional Integration In Africa: The Case Study Of The New East African Community.

ABSTRACT

This research study aimed at the assessment of the challenges of regional integration in Africa

focusing on the New East African Community. The specific objectives of the study were to

determine the political Factors Promoting EAC Growth and Development, to examine the extent

to which the East African countries are prepared to achieve full integration and to identify the

possible solutions to the various constraints. The research adopted the transformative mixed

approach. This provided for a framework for topics of interest, methods for data collection and

outcomes or changes anticipated by the study and involved sequential or a concurrent approach.

The targeting population of the study was selected randomly and included 150 individuals.

Sample sizes of 109 respondents were selected. The study used both primary and secondary data

collection methods including document review and interviews. Data were collected using

questionnaire surveys and employed a face to face interview methods as well as documentary

review. The researcher used face-to- face interview with the employee from Uganda Ministry of

East Africa Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies of

Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi in Uganda. The study found out

respondents’ biographic data based on their sex, age, education level, marital status and time

spent in the community and experience. Findings in this study showed that that overall mean

rating for political factors influencing development in the EAC region was computed at 73.6%,

which is relatively modest. The analysis has indicated, however, that the following factors are

showing a positive path to progress in political integration. These factors received a rating of

75% and above. One of these is the fact that there is an enhanced sense of East African identity,

developing from modern communications. The study identified that there is no single approach

that can wholly describe and prescribe the progress of the EAC integration process. It finds,

rather, that a mixed theory approach is more effective, where various theories describe and

prescribe the EAC integration at various stages of the process, Despite this finding the study

concludes that the political will might be high at the highest level but the rest of the levels do not

fare as well. To accelerate the process of integration, investments on basic infrastructure such as

railways, roads, electricity and access to water need to be prioritized in order to connect the

region as well as providing favorable conditions for commerce to thrive. Difficulty in the

movement of people, goods and services create a hindrance to the process of integration. Nontariff

barriers create such a hindrance and hence the EAC should strive to completely eliminate

them. The study recommends the development of a legislative fi’amework (laws, policies and

guide lines) for Community Development within partner states. Harmonization of

democratization policies, processes and practices. In doing so, the EAC should embrace policies

on human development, social benefit, and protection, across the region. This would enable EAC

member states realize a common identity, a feature that is prerequisite for integration in the

region. The East Africa citizenry needs to be informed and educated more about the integration

process. The EAC secretariat ought to conduct massive civic education programmes around East

Africa for the public to know how they can get involved in the process. It will as well inform

them of the benefits to them and the huge opportunities that lie in an integrated East Africa.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION........................................

APPROVAL..................................................

DEDICATION...............................................

ACKNOWLEDGEjvtyN~..............................................

LIST OF TABLES...............................................................

LIST OF FIGURES...........................................................

TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................ vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................... x

ABSTRACT...........................................................

CHAPTER ONE.............................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ....................................1

1.0 Introduction ...........................................................I

1.1 Background of the study................................................. I

1.2 Statement of the Problem......................................... 3

1.3 Purpose of the study................................................. 3

1.4 Objectives of the study................................................ 3

1.5 Research questions.................................................. 4

1.6 Scope of the study........................................................ 4

1.6.1 Geographical scope................................................. 4

1.6.2 Content scope........................................................ 4

1.6.3 Time scope..............................................................

1.7 Significance of the study .............................................5

1. 8 Theoretical Framework................................................ 5

CHAPTER TWO.............................................................. 7

LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................. 7

2.0 Introduction 7

2.1 Political Factors Promoting EAC Growth and Development 7

2.1.1 History of East Africa Co- operation since 1900-1950 7

2.1.2 The EastAfrican High Commission, 1947-1960 .8

2.1.2.1 Executive Officers 8

2.1.3 East Africa Cooperation in 1960s 9

2.1.3.1 Raisman commission report of 1961 9

2.1 .3.2 The East African Common Services Organizations (EACSO) 9

2.1.3.3 The Kampala Agreement 9

2.1.3.4 The Treaty for East African Cooperation 10

2.1.4 collapse of the East Africa Community and Factors that led to the collapse 10

2.1.4.1 Lessons learnt from the collapse of East Africa Community 11

2.1.5 Post-disintegration to revival of the East African Community 12

2.1.6 Structure and Organs of the Revived East African Community 13

2.2 Extent to which the East African countries are prepared to achieve full integration 20

2.3 Possible solutions to the various constraints 24

CHAPTER THREE 28

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 28

3.0 Introduction 28

3. 1 Research Design 28

3.2 Study population 28

3.3 Sample Size 28

3.4 Sampling Techniques 30

3.5 Data Collection Methods 30

3.6 Data Collection Instruments 30

3.6. 1 Questionnaire Method 30

3.6.2 Interview Method 30

3.7 Pre-testing Validity and Reliability of Research Instruments 31

3.7.lValidity 31

3.7.2 Reliability test 31

3.8 Data Collection Process 32

3.9 Data Analysis Procedure 32

3.9.1 Quantitative data analysis 32

viii

3.9.2 Qualitative data analysis ~

3.10 Measurement of Variables 33

3.11 Ethical considerations 33

CHAPTER FOUR 35

PRESENTATION AND INTEPRETATION OF FINDINGS 35

4.0 Introduction

4.1 Demographic characteristics of respondents 35

4.2 Political Factors Promoting EAC Growth and Development 40

4.3 Examination of the extent to which the East African countries are prepared to achieve full

integration 42

4.4 Possible solutions to the various constraints 44

CHAPTER FIVE 47

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 47

5.0 Introduction 47

5. 1 Summary of findings 47

5.2 Conclusions 49

5.3 Recommendations 51

5.4 Area for further Research 52

REFERENCES 53

APPENDICES 56

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE 56

APPENDIX II. INTERVIEW GUIDE 60