Comparative Regional Economic Blocs in African Societies: A Tunisian Perspective

The literature on regional economic blocs in Africa highlights their potential to foster development but also raises concerns about their effectiveness and inclusivity. Tunisia, as a member of the African Union and the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), has experienced both benefits and challenges from these blocs. The methodology employed is a qualitative approach that involves reviewing existing literature, conducting interviews with stakeholders from various sectors, and analysing data from official reports. The study focuses on the AMU and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A key finding is that while the AMU has contributed to regional stability and economic integration, it has not been as effective in promoting inclusive growth compared to other blocs like the AfCFTA. The proportion of small and medium enterprises benefiting from trade liberalization under both blocs varies significantly. The conclusion drawn is that for Tunisia to fully benefit from regional economic blocs, there is a need for greater inclusivity and coordination between different stakeholders. Recommendations include enhancing policy coherence across the AMU and AfCFTA, promoting regional value chains, and fostering dialogue among member states to address disparities in benefits. regional economic blocs, African Union, Arab Maghreb Union, Tunisia, inclusivity