7. Brexit and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Some Lessons and Challenges from East Africa

This chapter delves into the complexities of regional integration in Africa, particularly focusing on the interplay between Brexit and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in relation to the East African Community (EAC) member states. The historical context of African regional integration and the theoretical frameworks, such as pan-Africanism and Afro-optimism, that have influenced it are explored. The potential economic impacts of AfCFTA, including its ability to bolster intra-African trade and mitigate external trade shocks, are assessed. Additionally, the chapter addresses the challenges posed by overlapping regional trade agreements and the specific effects of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union on trade relations with East African nations, including issues such as trade negotiations, market access, and economic dependency on external powers. The potential benefits and obstacles in implementing AfCFTA, including economic disparities among African nations and the strategic importance of creating a unified market to enhance trade and economic development, are also examined. The chapter proposes a reevaluation of regional integration strategies, emphasizing the need for infrastructure improvements, reduction of trade barriers, and enhanced political cooperation to realize the economic potentials of AfCFTA. Overall, this chapter serves as a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic between Brexit and AfCFTA, offering insights into the complexities of regional integration in Africa in the face of global political and economic changes.