The adaption of the philosophical and behavioural notion of intentionality and its application in ethics studies provides interesting knowledge avenues for the study of the relationships between leadership and institutional effectiveness. Weaknesses in regional institutions have been attributed to the low level of commitment of African leaders to regional projects and technical reasons such as lack of capacity and resources. This article examines the interrelationships between institutions and institution designers. It introduces an analytical angle which connects African regional institutions to the intentions of the designers who establish them. This approach is based on two theoretical perspectives. Firstly, on sociological discourses on functionalism which states that an institution's emergence is precipitated by function or need as determined by its designers. Secondly, on the ethical dimension of intentions which motivates