The idea behind an East African Federation (EAF) dates back to the early 1960s, around the time Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Zanzibar were gaining independence from Britain. The political leaders of the four nations had become interested in forming an EAF.

Julius Nyerere even offered in 1960 to delay the imminent independence of Tanganyika in order for all of the East African territories to achieve independence together as a federation. Consequently, the East African Community (EAC) is the only Regional Economic Community (REC) in Africa whose treaty explicitly states that it aspires to establish a political federation.

Can similar aspiration happen in West Africa? In fact, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are considering such. The way African states are organize right now is highly inefficient in the global arena. Each country have to send ambassadors to all nations which can amount to high cost of operation. Bigger nations automatically have better grounds in trade deals and military posture. I am not saying smaller nations can’t do well but an idea to change. The map of Africa that the Europeans left us may provide us better nations.

Source: PROF.PLO LUMUMBA BEST QUOTES