Integracja gospodarcza w ramach wspólnego rynku Afryki Wschodniej i Południowej (COMESA)
The economic integration within the common market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is the characteristics and the assessment of one of the largest (in terms of the number of members, population and the total surface) economic blocs in Africa – Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA). Economic aspects of the integration were empasized, but political and social circumstances were also taken into account. This target was realized through literature and the COMESA Treaty analysis as well as through the author’s own observations made during his research in four member states of this community: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. The states that may benefit the most from the participation in COMESA are Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, which have no access to the sea, as well as the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They all take part in the Northern Corridor that facilitates them to transport products from Kenya’s port of Mombasa. The advantages accruing to Kenya herself from COMESA may be above all the liberalization of the labour market planned for the nearest future. For the time being citizens from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, which are also members of another economic bloc (East African Community), may move, visit these countries without having a visa and without paying for a work permit. The integration within COMESA goes on slowly. There are limitations of political, cultural and language nature.

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