Regional Social Integration and African Continental Free Trade Area: Prospects and Challenges

In view of the Pan-African consciousness that spread throughout the continent in the 1950s for regional integration in Africa to address development deficit, and to enhance the free movement of persons, social integration remains an untapped human resource. Thus, the vision is still lagging especially the provisions of the Abuja Treaty in 1991. Consequently, the study sought to unravel the challenges and prospects of the African Continental Free Trade Area and how it promotes regional social integration in Africa. Theoretically, the study utilized constructivism to explain social integration in Africa as a phenomenon. Methodologically, this study was designed as a qualitative research inquiry with multiple cases. Both primary and secondary data were used. Data collected were synthesized and thematically analysed to indicate patterns of phenomena of the study. The recurring concepts were used to make inferences at the end of the research. However, the many social vices present in Africa have historical roots embedded in European scramble, partition and colonization of the continent. Therefore, the African Continental Free Trade Area has to adopt protocols that support social interactions in Africa and promote cultural and religious tolerance among Africans. Thus, the study concluded that social integration in Africa is just as vital as economic integration.