Paper short abstract:

Though the African Union, has clocked 20 years, the gains of regional integration have remained largely elusive in the continent. Though many factors account for this, the leadership question clearly stands out.

Paper long abstract:

International integration-a process of shifting upward of sovereignty from state to supranational Institutions, is a reality of our modern day globalised world. Thus, states across the globe are increasingly getting involved in different forms and levels of integration platforms. Africa is not an exception, as African leaders formed the African Union in 1992 (an off-shoot of the Organization of African Unity OAU). Today, twenty years after, the debate is on whether the move has really helped Africa and Africans. The challenge of this paper therefore is an evaluation of the African Union in respect of its stated objectives. In doing this, the neo-functional theory was employed as an explanatory tool. The findings of the study indicate that the biggest challenge facing African integration today is the issue of leadership .Thus, while there are many extraneous obstacles and challenges to African integration, the major challenge remains internal and therefore any serious efforts at integration must first of all address the leadership question.

Keywords: African Union, Integration, Leadership, Development