Assessing Regional Integration in Africa XI (ARIA XI) is the eleventh edition of the flagship series jointly produced by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). This edition focuses on the theme “Delivering on the African Economic Community: Towards an African Continental Customs Union and African Continental Common Market.”

Building on the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ARIA XI offers a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities, prerequisites, and institutional frameworks needed to transition toward deeper continental economic integration. It provides theoretical and empirical insights into free trade areas, customs unions, and common markets, drawing from African regional economic communities (RECs) and global experiences.

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Spanning seven chapters, the report critically examines the current status of regional integration, evaluates the implementation of the AfCFTA, assesses tariff harmonization and non-tariff barriers, and proposes governance and resource models for a future African Continental Customs Union (AfCCU) and African Continental Common Market (AfCCOM).

With detailed recommendations and policy pathways, ARIA XI serves as both a practical policy tool and a forward-looking research reference for African policymakers, institutions, and integration stakeholders aiming to realize the vision of a unified and resilient African Economic Community.