Question

Difficulty: MediumTransportation, Trade, and Economic Groupings in Africa

Match each African regional economic grouping listed in Column A with its defining economic characteristic or objective in Column B.

  • CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa)Monetary union utilizing a shared Central African CFA franc among member states including Cameroon, Gabon, and Chad.
  • COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa)Large trade bloc established to replace the Preferential Trade Area (PTA), facilitating free trade across Eastern, Southern, and Horn of Africa states.
  • SACU (Southern African Customs Union)The oldest operating customs union in the world, establishing a common external tariff among five contiguous Southern African nations.
  • AMU (Arab Maghreb Union)Sub-regional organization created to foster trade, political integration, and economic cooperation among North African nations.

Answer

CEMAC matches with the shared Central African CFA franc monetary union; COMESA matches with the trade bloc succeeding the Preferential Trade Area; SACU matches with the world's oldest operating customs union; AMU matches with the North African sub-regional organization.
Each economic community is correctly matched to its specific historical origin, geographic zone, or economic structure: CEMAC is a Central African monetary union sharing the CFA franc; COMESA evolved directly from the PTA; SACU is the world's oldest customs union (founded 1910); and AMU unites North African Maghreb states.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary sub-region and structural focus of CEMAC.
CEMAC operates in Central Africa and centers on a common currency zone using the Central African CFA franc.
Economic and monetary communities are characterized by unified monetary policy and currency sharing.
2
Identify the historical origin and scope of COMESA.
COMESA succeeded the Eastern and Southern African Preferential Trade Area (PTA).
Regional Integration evolution in Africa involved transforming PTAs into common markets.
3
Identify the historical distinction of SACU.
SACU is the oldest functioning customs union, sharing revenue among Southern African nations.
SACU dates back to 1910, making it unique in terms of historical longevity among trade blocs.
4
Identify the geographic jurisdiction of AMU.
AMU consists of North African Maghreb nations.
Maghreb geographic terminology specifically refers to the northwest region of Africa.

Key Concept

Structural characteristics, scope, and objectives of African Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
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