Introduction

This chapter introduces the latest grand integration initiative of Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It takes a dive into the chartered path of regional integration on the continent, motivating the creation of the AfCFTA. It subsequently introduces the main rationale, outline, and focus areas of the book. Lastly, it also provides a synthesis of each of the chapters, their main messages, and how they address critical issues at the heart of establishing and operationalizing an AfCFTA.