RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa: Attractive Aspects for Zimbabwe

This briefing by Dr M Masiiwa of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the strategic options for Zimbabwe as it faces a choice between joining the proposed Customs Unions of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) or the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). While Zimbabwe has stronger existing trade links and political ties with SADC, the document suggests a preference for COMESA due to its larger market, more balanced economic competition, and faster pace of integration.

• Zimbabwe faces a strategic necessity to choose between the COMESA and SADC Customs Unions, as the document states that "No country can be a member of more than one customs union (CU)". These unions were expected to launch in 2008 and 2010, respectively.
• SADC is highly attractive to Zimbabwe due to existing trade volumes and political ties. Between 2001 and 2005, annual trade with SADC partners averaged US$1.6 billion, peaking at US$2.4 billion in 2004, which is approximately eight times the volume of trade with COMESA (averaging US$200 million per year). Six of Zimbabwe's top ten export destinations are in SADC, including South Africa (over $US 145 million in 2005), Zambia (US$54.9 million), Botswana (US$33.6 million), and Malawi (US$26.6 million).
• COMESA is viewed as an attractive alternative because it offers a larger market of over 374 million people across 20 member states. Zimbabwe perceives a "level playing field" in COMESA, whereas in SADC, South Africa's dominance (accounting for more than 73% of Zimbabwe's trade) creates vulnerability and a risk that Zimbabwean companies will lose out to more developed South African competitors.
• Zimbabwe considers COMESA more competent in regional economic integration than SADC. COMESA achieved FTA status in October 2000 and is seen as having a clearer mandate, while SADC's progress is described as slow with targets being "missed or postponed". Zimbabwe has actively participated in COMESA initiatives, including the Common Tariff Nomenclature and the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).
• The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is viewed skeptically by Zimbabwe, being regarded as an "apartheid relic". While it is seen as an effective trading arrangement, Zimbabwe is wary of the revenue sharing formula, although a revised formula could potentially serve as an incentive for membership.
• Zimbabwe's final decision is heavily influenced by South Africa's actions and the outcome of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU. Zimbabwe has chosen to negotiate EPAs under the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) configuration—an institution created by COMESA—which the author identifies as the "clearest indication" that Zimbabwe prefers the COMESA Customs Union.

APA

Masiiwa, M. (2007). RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa: Attractive Aspects for Zimbabwe. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/Briefing-No_14_Masiiwa.pdf

Chicago

Masiiwa, M. RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa: Attractive Aspects for Zimbabwe. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2007. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/Briefing-No_14_Masiiwa.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Masiiwa |first1=M |title=RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa: Attractive Aspects for Zimbabwe |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=14 March 2007 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/Briefing-No_14_Masiiwa.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{masiiwa2007recs, author = {Masiiwa, M}, title = {{RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa: Attractive Aspects for Zimbabwe}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2007}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/Briefing-No_14_Masiiwa.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }