EPAs and African Regional Integration

Regional integration is increasingly seen as an instrument to harness the benefits of globalization and to resist its negative effects. EU support for regional integration in ACP countries is based on the basic principles of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement. Indeed, EPAs offer a real prospect of cooperation for African countries to create a credible and streamlined regional integration system, in line with the African Union's integration agenda. The implementation of EPAs has positive aspects such as financing the construction of regional integration and African infrastructure, which would be a step towards continental integration in line with the Abuja Treaty signed by African countries. However, it should be noted that the adoption of EPAs is not only positive, it also has negative aspects. The impact of EPAs on African regional integration shows that the sequencing of trade liberalization remains critical to support Africa's integration and transformation agenda.