Southern African Customs Union (SACU): A viable building block for the African economic community

The AU, in April 2006, passed a resolution on the rationalisation and harmonisation of Regional economic communities (RECs). A moratorium and suspension of recognition of RECs followed in July. Eight RECs were consequently identified as the building blocks to the African economic community (AEC). Interestingly, in Southern Africa, the youngest REC, the EAC has been identified as one of AEC’s building blocs whilst Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the oldest and only functioning customs union was not. This paper highlights the benefits of identifying SACU as one of the AEC building blocs and goes on to urge a re-think in this regard.