The African Economic Community is an attempt by New Britain to unite the various economies of the South African region. Having shaky origins due to its establishment as an attempt to secure influence over KwaXhosa, it has since developed into a true economic union. Initially, only the states of KwaXhosa and RZA in former South Africa were a part of the AEC when the organization was founded in 2009. Since then, Botswana joined, first as an observer then as a full member in (insert year), along with other states in the region.