Развитие на интеграционните процеси в Африка – от политически към икономически цели

The paper discusses the historic development and current trends in integration processes in Africa. Integration is seen as a means for ensuring competitiveness by better opportunities in international trade and as a factor supporting the resolution of the political and economic problems of the continent. Integration processes go through several stages of development, in which the focus gradually shifted from political to economic goals – the establishment of a functioning African Economic Community.