Papers on regional integration and trade liberalisation in sub-Saharan Africa meant to apply new perspectives and approaches to an analytical framework and methodology for study of the region. The collaborative chapters are written by economists within and outside the region of sub-Saharan Africa who have specialized in international and trade economics. It creates a background for the next three volumes: Vol. 2: country studies, Vol. 3: regional studies and Vol. 4: syntheses written by leading international economists which concludes lessons as well as looks to the future.