Actually, in Canada the richer provinces pay "Balance of Wealth" payments to the poorer ones.
In Ontario where I live, the Baby Bonus and Youth Allowance cheques the federal government sends to families are essentially taxed back at the end of the year.
In Newfoundland (for example) they are essential to family financial survival in the "outport" areas.
As to the previous post, the world seems to be dividing up into trading blocks. N. America has free trade internally as does most of Europe and Japan has been getting into bed with China for some time.
Perhaps an economic trading block in Africa would be a good idea. It may lead to some form of union down the road.