After sixty years of pursuing the vision of African integration initiated by the founders of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), numerous achievements now make it possible to affirm that Africa is firmly engaged in a process of integration aimed at the continent’s harmonious development. Nevertheless, the path toward the realisation of an African Economic Community still faces considerable challenges, and requires continuous monitoring of the actual progress of regional integration. Between 2023 and 2025, the African integration process has encountered new and complex challenges in a rapidly evolving international context.
The resurgence of protectionism—particularly in the United States—has had indirect effects on global trade flows and supply chains. At the same time, persistent inflation, driven by geopolitical tensions and restrictive monetary policies, has strained African economies, exacerbating public debt burdens and reducing fiscal space for transformative investment.