The COVID-19 pandemic and regional integration in Africa: Implications of the responses from ECOWAS and SADC

ABSTRACT The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to regional bodies across the world. It resulted in a synchronised disruption of the world economy and regional integration agendas, and the re-emergence of nationalism and protectionism. The response to this health emergency differed across regions as regional and local impact of the disease varied. There were coordinated responses to the health crisis by some regional bodies while others saw more local and nationalistic reactions. The argument of this article is that the unilateral closure of borders and the imposition of travel restrictions showed protectionist inclinations and an unwillingness to cede authority to regional bodies. Inspired by the projected implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of regional integration, this article examined the response of both ECOWAS and SADC to the COVID-19 health emergency and considers the implications for the quest for regional integration.