Towards an Integrated Framework for Regional Economic Governance: A Comparative Analysis of African Blocs from a Rwandan Perspective,

{ "background": "Regional economic communities are central to Africa's integration agenda, yet their governance architectures and operational efficacy vary considerably. Existing theoretical frameworks often analyse these blocs in isolation or through external lenses, lacking a cohesive model that accounts for the complex interplay of sovereignty, development imperatives, and intra-bloc dynamics from an African stakeholder perspective.", "purpose and objectives": "This article proposes a novel, integrated theoretical framework for analysing regional economic governance. It aims to systematise the comparative assessment of African blocs by identifying core constitutive and operational variables, and to apply this framework through a focused case analysis.", "methodology": "The study employs a comparative case study design, constructing a framework from a synthesis of institutional analysis, political economy, and normative integration theories. The framework is then applied to a structured comparison of select regional economic communities, using Rwanda as an embedded, illustrative case study to ground the theoretical propositions.", "key insights": "The framework identifies a critical tension between legalistic institutionalisation and flexible, oriented cooperation. A key finding is that effective governance correlates less with the depth of formal treaties and more with the presence of specific, actionable policy mechanisms for dispute resolution and implementation monitoring. The case analysis reveals a strategic preference for variable-geometry integration within broader blocs.", "conclusion": "The integrated framework provides a more nuanced tool for understanding the divergent trajectories of African regional economic communities. It moves beyond binary assessments of success or failure to explain how governance structures emerge and adapt in response to specific political and economic constraints.", "recommendations": "Future research should apply the framework quantitatively across all African regional economic communities. Policymakers within such blocs should prioritise the development of the identified actionable policy mechanisms over purely legalistic expansion of treaty mandates.", "key words": "regional integration, economic governance, theoretical framework, comparative analysis, African studies, policy mechanisms", "contribution statement": "This article's novel contribution is the development of an integrated, multi-dimensional analytical framework that explicitly centres African agency and incorporates a measurable typ