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Regional Economic Communities

The African Economic Community (AEC) is an organization of African Union states establishing grounds for mutual economic development among the majority of African states. The member states are mounting efforts to collaborate economically, but are impeded by civil wars raging in parts of Africa. The stated goals of the organization include the creation of free trade areas, customs unions, a single market, a central bank, and a common currency, thus, establishing an economic and monetary union.

Currently there are multiple regional blocs in Africa—also known as Regional Economic Communities (RECs)—many of which have overlapping memberships. The RECs consist primarily of trade blocs and, in some cases, blocs of political and military cooperation. Most of these RECs form the 'pillars' of the AEC, many of which also have an overlap in some of their member states. Due to this high proportion of overlap it is likely that some states with several memberships will eventually drop out of one or more RECs. Several of these pillars also contain subgroups with tighter customs and/or monetary unions of their own.

The pillars are as follows:

• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• East African Community (EAC)
• Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS/CEEAC)
• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)