REGIONAL INTEGRATION BRIEFS

A co-prosperity zone to speed the integration process

The Heads of State of Benin, Nigeria and Togo agreed early February 2007 in Abuja to set-up a co-prosperity zone to accelerate the economic integration in these three West African neighbouring countries.

According to Agence France Press, the co-prosperity zone (COPAZ) is free from any political motives and will focus on economic matters. Common challenges facing the member countries include: a high illiteracy rate, inadequate health care system, low level of infrastructure development and a high population growth rate.

Progress achieved in interconnecting West African power pool networks

The Compagnie Electrique du Benin (CEB), a power pool set up by Togo and Benin, is now interconnected with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. The power connection inaugurated in mid-February was launched in January 2001. Shortfalls in electricity capacity of the Akossombo dam, the main electricity supplier for Togo and Benin, prompted the two countries to look for alternatives.

The Power cable joining the CEB and the PHCN will alleviate electricity supply constraints for Togo and Benin and reduce the costs.

The 70 km power cable has an initial capacity of 75 megawatts. The power connection CEB-PHCN is currently the largest power connection project in West Africa.

This is a practical example of effective cooperation in infrastructure.

The Bamako Forum pledges for a human-centered integration process

The Bamako Forum, which is an informal brainstorming framework gathering policy makers, businessmen and women and academia, each year in the capital city of Mali, focused this year on regional integration challenges in Africa.

Participants urged policy makers to lead an integration process that is immediately beneficial to Africa's populations, gives prominent role to the private sector and civil society and capitalizes on private-public partnerships.

The Bamako Forum stressed the need for a joint management, among African countries, of resources such as electricity and the importance of culture in integration processes.