Regional Paper
Debra R. Edge
MGT 448
University of Phoenix
Christopher Bentley
November 19, 2005
Regional Paper
This Paper analyses the role of regional integration (RI) in promoting global business in West Africa. This paper discusses firstly the advantages and disadvantages of regional integration and secondly will compare and contrast the economic development stages of countries within the West Africa region and the ramifications of West Africa’s economic development for global business.
Since Africa’s independence, African leaders have seen RI as a way to replace relations with former colonial countries. RI was considered crucial in attaining economic development, promoting regional stability and guaranteeing African influence in international negotiations.
During the first Africa Conference of the Global Coalition for Africa held in Maastricht in July 1990, at the invitation of the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation, RI was placed on the agenda for African leaders and development organizations alike. The conference intended to change the negative overall image of Africa as a continent of famine, dictatorship, civil war and economic disaster. The meeting showed the world that important economic and political reforms were taking place in Africa.
The progress in African RI was slow due to preconditions. The conviction for Africa to is seen in the growth of trading blocs such as the NAFTA. Africa must speed up its integration processes to compete with other parts of the world. Until the African economies are stronger it is unlikely that RI will have much effect. If a country is in a period of weakness it is no the bes ...