Social integration as a component of a comprehensive African Union continental integration policy

Abstract

This policy analysis has three aims. Firstly; to consider how social integration influences ethical professional behaviour among African regional integration practitioners, secondly; to understand how African social integration can improve trans-border practices and policies to realise the Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and thirdly; to explore when social integration might be beneficial to the African Governance Architecture (AGA). This study employs an explanatory research methodology using a qualitative approach. The study recommends strategies to expand the reach of ACFTA and AGA in the lives of all Africans from a normative stance, considering the social variety among the African Union’s 55 member nations. The paper emphasises the uniqueness of all African societies, which informs the inductive search for community pluralism. As a result, the differences identified serve as a springboard for discussions about how to achieve social integration. Deduction is also used to explain an ethical component in larger continental attempts to improve inclusiveness for more effective and efficient trans-border governance in Africa.