Intra-African Relations

Intra-African Relations:

This aspect of the Center's research involves the navigating the intra-African relations the impact on the continent's institutional architecture, security, and economic development. The goal with this line of research is to uncover potential areas the continent could harness and better integrate its diverse resources in continental development.

Intra-African relation is critical to the development of the respective African states, and the continent in general. At the political and security end of the relations, African states need each other to reinforce political stability and security in the region. The reality of porous borders in Africa, and the inability of some governments to secure those borders, positive relations between neighboring states are critical to stability and development in the region. Good intra-African relations could have some security benefits as states watch out for their neighbors and disrupt any threats across their common borders.

On the economic side, Africa's population, estimated at 1.4 billion and growing has a positive implication for the economic market on the continent. Intra-African trade currently estimated at 16 percent low comparative to trade in other continents.

CESDOSED researches intra-African trade and economic relations. It examines the situation from historical and cultural perspectives, and how these drivers inhibit or potentially enhance Intra-African trade relations.

Intra-Africa relations is also shaped by continental and regional institutions and agreements. This makes the African Union (AU), the continental organization, a crucial foundation in understanding the relations among these states. The Center contributes to the achievement of this goal by working closely with institutions within the AU.