This study is set on the premise that Nigeria‟s hegemonic influence in the ECOWAS spills over creating stronger socioeconomic ties with neighbouring Cameroon than there is integration between the latter and other CEMAC member countries. The much talked of regional integration among CEMAC member countries has not been matched with concrete adequate steps towards establishing a strong regional bloc to address common political, security, economic and environmental stakes within the Central African sub-region. This paper seeks to assess the reasons and challenges for the weak regional integration amongst CEMAC member countries, how to surmount the challenges and build efficient integration. In the same vein, it probes into the reasons for stronger socioeconomic ties between Cameroon and Nigeria (non-member bloc countries) in order to evaluate the basis for this potency and draw lessons for efficacious integration within the CEMAC. To achieve this, the paper uses mainly secondary sources and interviews with key resource persons. The study posits that the absence of a regional hegemon (core state) within the CEMAC region impedes initiatives towards effective integration while fostering ties between Cameroon and Nigeria; thus the emergence of a regional hegemon with strong political will and economic base will propel the CEMAC integration.