Africa-Atlantic Integration: Can the Economy Unite What Geology has Divided?

The Atlantic basin holds a strategic place in the global economy given the systemic importance that the northern part of the region represents. However, this area remains very heterogeneous with significant differences between the economies within it. The analysis conducted in this policy brief also shows the lack of synchronization of the economic cycle among the countries in the region, and especially the low level of trade and financial integration of the African part of the basin. In addition, we find that African countries continue to suffer from weak integration between them. These factors certainly favor the need for Africa to identify and seize the opportunities provided by the Atlantic area, and especially to accelerate domestic reforms in order to increase their productive capacities, exploit potential intercontinental economic synergies, while paying particular attention to the global economic changes with regard to Asia’s possible role in the coming years.