AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE BENEFITS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION FROM COMESA FOR ZAMBIA

Purpose: The world at large in the last three to four decades has shown greater impetus for regionalism, from Europe’s EU, South America’s MERCOSUR, Southeast Asia’s ASEAN, North NAFTA and Africa’s numerous RECs among which eight are recognized as building blocks now AfCFTA others. While other parts of world, driving force regionalism may be different, Africa, Pan Africanism African Renaissance have been push forces behind regionalism. This study therefore took interest look benefits belonging a REC, with ultimate objective empirically investigating COMESA’s integration Zambia’s growth period 1975-2017.Methodology: Using variable that represented presence time series data, ordinary least squares (OLS) technique was estimated establish significance relevance on growth. Findings: findings others revealed representing had no significant effect long-run GDP growth, FDI trade. However, it did investment. On hand, analysis COMESA programmes being implemented Zambia largely COMESA, citing infrastructure development five border posts shared by its neighbours.Contributions theory, policy practice: recommends indeed all Member States refrain use Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) Technical Trade (TBTs). Additionally, Safeguard Measures must sought countries seeking protect their infant domestic industries adherence NTBs TBTs resolution framework under COMESA. These if unchecked potential undermining can obtain integration.