Continental Integration and Trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Abstract

This chapter is concerned with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its trade potential to increase continental integration in Africa. The chapter argues that SADC has the potential not only to increase continental integration, but also as the building block for AfCTA to realise its vision of promoting continental economic integration, equitable human development, and advance African institutional development. Regional theory was adopted to comprehend the role, shared interests, challenges, and goals among SADC member countries. The chapter found that SADC region is endowed with natural, cultural, and human resources, but lacks state capacity, cooperation, and integration to optimize such resources. The chapter is qualitative in nature and uses systematic literature review to deliberate on the role and challenges faced by SADC in increasing continental integration and further forge socio-economic development between and within its members.