Drawing upon economic and political theories, and using a critical doctrinal analysis of legal texts and legal norms, this book uncovers the legal and economic underpinnings of the model of regional integration followed by the regional schemes operating under the banner of the African Economic Community (AEC) in order to achieve their objective of promoting sustainable economic growth and development across the African continent. It explores the various manners in which law can be used to support the effective establishment of an African Economic Community. Given the relative slow pace and the apparent failure that seem to have characterised most regional initiatives in Africa to date, as well as the new wave of regional projects being launched at the continental level more recently, this book contributes to the search of effective methods to ensure the success of those various initiatives. It places a particular emphasis on the AEC, considering that it has been entrusted with the coordination and the harmonisation of policies between various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) across the continent, and thereby to influence the continent's approach towards regional integration. Regional Developmentalism through Law presents the concept of regional developmentalism through law as the most suitable conceptual framework to support the establishment of an African Economic Community. It will be of value to students at an advanced level, academics, and reflective practitioners. It addresses the topics with regard to the correlation between law, regional integration and development in Africa, and will be of interest to researchers, academics, policymakers, and students in the fields of law and development, international trade law, international relations, political science, and development economics.