The aim of the present contribution is to look at regional integration in Africa from a comparative standpoint, trying to identify these different integration processes in comparison to what we have observed on other continents. The regional integration processes in Africa are similar to other regional integration processes in the world in that they respond to the same needs and encounter the same obstacles. In spite of this, there remain a number of different factors which help to explain the specificities of regional integration in Africa. Finally, this contribution makes a few recommendations as to how these integration processes could be strengthened.