Africa Prosperity Network

Category: Africa

  • Press Release: Africa Prosperity Network and Ethiopian Airlines discuss Make Africa Borderless Now! agenda

    Press Release: Africa Prosperity Network and Ethiopian Airlines discuss Make Africa Borderless Now! agenda

    Talks Aim at Collaboration on Free Movement of People, Goods and Services Across Africa

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 2026 — The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and Ethiopian Airlines Monday held talks at the Headquarters of Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa to explore a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the Make Africa Borderless Now! agenda.

    The campaign seeks to persuade African governments to implement the various economic integration-focused treaties and protocols which they have already adopted but remain slow to implement.

    These include the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment Protocol and the Single Africa Air Transport Market Protocol, both adopted in 2018.

    The discussions, which build on engagements that began last year, focused on how the two parties can work together to promote the free movement of people, goods, and services across Africa, with air transport recognised as a critical enabler of the continent’s economic integration and a key driver of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    During the meeting, which both sides described as positive, APN invited Africa’s biggest airline to become a major partner in the movement launched in Accra this February to mobilise 10 million signatures calling for, among others, free movement across Africa, a visa-free travel for Africans across Africa, and implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.

    Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the Executive Chairman, APN, stressed the need to get African central banks and regulators to enable continent-wide mobile money interoperability to allow Africans to buy and sell across borders simply using their mobile money wallets.

    Mesfin Tasew, the Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, welcomed it, saying it would give a major boost to intra-African trade and air cargo volumes in Africa.

    The engagement reflects the growing momentum behind the Make Africa Borderless Now! movement and the shared commitment to translating Africa’s integration ambitions into practical, continent-wide outcomes. Further meetings are expected to define the scope of the potential collaboration.

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    About the Make Africa Borderless Now! Movement

    The Make Africa Borderless Now! movement is a transformative initiative driving towards the realisation of a unified African market. By advocating for the elimination of barriers to trade, travel, and economic activity, the movement seeks to unlock Africa’s full economic potential and improve the quality of life for all Africans, both on the continent and across the diaspora.

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    Africa Prosperity Network

    The Africa Prosperity Network is a leading Pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing economic integration, sustainable development, and shared prosperity across the African continent. Through strategic initiatives, thought leadership, and collaborative partnerships, the Network works to create an enabling environment for Africa’s economic transformation.

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    For More Enquiries, contact:

    Africa Prosperity Network, Communication Directorate

    Tel: +233 20 136 9105

    Email: comms@africaprosperity.network
    Web: www.africaprosperitynetwork.com

    END

    SIGNED:

    Africa Prosperity Network – Communication Directorate

    Distributed to all African and international media houses

  • Manifesto: Make Africa Borderless Now!

    Manifesto: Make Africa Borderless Now!

    In 1884, European powers gathered in Berlin to partition Africa without a single African voice. The borders they drew with rulers across rivers, deserts, and communities were designed for extraction and control, not prosperity. Decades later, newly independent states chose to preserve these colonial lines. That choice created modern Africa’s central contradiction: political independence without economic might; sovereignty without scale; and a continent of fragmented potential.

    Today, these artificial borders stifle a market of over 1.5 billion people. They restrict the movement of talent and goods, multiply costs, trap capital and restrict the job market. As Africa’s population surges toward 2.1 billion by 2040 to host the world’s largest workforce, we face a decisive choice:

    Will we grow divided and constrained, or integrated and empowered? Building a genuine single market is the most transformative project of this century, a direct path to unlocking industrialisation, competitive continental brands, and dignified prosperity for all.

    A People-Powered Movement for Implementation

    That is why the Africa Prosperity Network, along with its partners, decided to launch the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” campaign in 2026. It is a historic, grassroots movement which seeks to take the issue of Africa’s economic integration from the elitist confines of summits and treaties to be owned and driven by the people. It aims to transform, with greater urgency, the imperative of integration from a leaders’ aspiration into a people-driven demand for action. Our bold goal is to mobilise, within 12 months, over 10 million signatures from Africans and the global diaspora, presenting this mandate directly to Heads of State at the 40th African Union Summit in February 2027.

    Inspired by the success of the Jubilee 2000 debt relief movement, which secured 24 million signatures in the late 1990s, we believe in the power of unified public will to turn long-agreed treaties into tangible reality. This manifesto, and the movement it fuels, exists to close the gap between Africa’s visionary agreements and their urgent implementation.

    Security Through Integration: Dispelling the Myths

    A common fear is that free movement weakens security and invites uncontrolled migration. We argue the opposite: a borderless Africa is a more secure, better-governed Africa. To put security into perspective, countries like China and India, each, have populations comparable to Africa’s 1.5 billion people and yet have robust security systems that serve to enable free enterprise and consolidate their collective commercial power, while increasing their business competitiveness in the global economy.

    Our current patchwork of 50-plus separate border systems is itself a security weakness. Criminals exploit gaps between disconnected databases. We propose replacing the illusion of control offered by cumbersome visas with modern, integrated biometric systems. The call is for a common African Union biometric passport or digital ID. Under this model, movement is free but identification is strict and verified at ports of entry. This enables states to consolidate data, share intelligence effectively, and monitor movement in real-time. Sovereignty is not surrendered; it is exercised smarter.

    Evidence from integrated markets shows mobility follows economic opportunity, not chaos. As jobs and investment spread across a unified market, pressure on any single nation eases. True security in the 21st century comes from smart integration and data-driven governance, not from colonial-era barriers that only create the façade of control.

    The Engine of Integration: Unleashing African Enterprise

    Africa’s future will be written by its enterprises. From the SMEs that form our economic backbone to the women- and youth-led businesses driving innovation, all face the same core challenge: not a lack of ambition, but the fragmentation of small, disconnected markets.

    Enterprises are hamstrung when borders block movement, payments fail to flow, and standards multiply costs. A single, integrated African market is the essential platform on which an SME can grow into a regional champion, a woman entrepreneur can scale her business with dignity, and an African corporation can emerge as a global competitor. Every major world brand was first built on a large, integrated home market. To build our own champions, we must first unite our home.

    The 12 Action Priorities: A Practical Blueprint for a Borderless Continent

    The blueprint for integration already exists in signed treaties and protocols. These twelve action priorities represent the unfinished business of African unity, now claimed by its people.

    1. Abolish Visas for Africans in Africa

    Africa cannot integrate if its entrepreneurs cannot move. Visa restrictions raise costs, delay deals, and stifle opportunities. Abolishing visas for Africans travelling within Africa treats mobility as essential economic infrastructure, enabling businesses to explore markets, establish partnerships, and deploy talent freely across the continent.

    2. Open Africa’s Skies Now

    Closed skies keep Africa expensive and disconnected. Fully implementing the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market will slash airfares, connect cities directly, and turbocharge trade, tourism, and logistics, expanding markets and creating jobs.

    3. Launch One African Biometric Passport & Digital ID

    Enterprises need speed, trust, and certainty. A single or common African biometric passport and interoperable digital ID will simplify travel and business establishment, support secure digital services, ensure security, and lower verification costs, turning seamless movement into a driver of secure economic activity.

    4. Activate the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol

    With African enterprise increasingly digital, we must activate the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol to create one continental digital market. This enables businesses to sell services and content across borders, scale without physical relocation, and compete globally from an African base.

    5. Make Cross-Border Payments Seamless Across Africa

    Intra-African trade requires frictionless finance. The full operationalisation of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and continent-wide mobile-money interoperability will reduce transaction costs, keep value circulating within Africa, and save billions lost annually to foreign currency conversion.

    6. Unlock African Talent Through Mutual Skills Recognition

    African enterprises need skills, which are readily available among Africans at home and beyond. Mutual recognition of professional and vocational qualifications will allow firms to recruit continent-wide, deploy staff across markets, and build the specialised, competitive teams needed for global success.

    7. Harmonise Standards to Create One African Market

    Multiple national standards force businesses to treat Africa as 55 or so separate markets. Harmonising regulations ensures goods approved in one country can be sold across the continent, unlocking manufacturing, agro-processing, and light industry, and enabling enterprises to scale into true continental brands.

    8. Establish One African Customs Union

    The AfCFTA cannot reach its potential without a customs union. The Abuja Treaty’s 2028 deadline for this must be honoured. A digitised, unified customs system will reduce delays, boost industrialisation and cross-border trade, lower costs for SMEs, and attract global manufacturers to set up operations in Africa.

    9. Build Continental Infrastructure That Connects Africa

    Enterprises cannot scale on disconnected infrastructure. We must invest jointly in roads, rail, ports, energy, and digital networks. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam shows what is collectively possible. Innovative financing, such as the proposed One-Dollar-a-Day African Infrastructure Fund, can mobilise citizen savings, pension funds, and private capital into bankable projects that physically unite the continent.

    10. Enforce Integration Through the African Court of Justice

    Markets require rules, and rules require enforcement. Operationalising the supranational African Court of Justice, as provided for in the AU Constitutive Act, will provide a huge incentive for investors because of the certainty and protection for enterprises against arbitrary barriers. It will ensure that the single market rules and regulations have to be applied and uniformly so across member states.

    11. Put SMEs, Women, and Youth at the Centre of Trade

    Women and youth-led SMEs dominate African trade yet face the highest barriers. Full implementation of the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade is essential to ensure access to finance, simplified procedures, safe mobility, and true continental market access for our most dynamic entrepreneurs.

    12. Negotiate as One Africa on the Global Stage

    Fragmented Africa is a price-taker; integrated Africa is a rule-maker. Negotiating as one bloc on the big issues, such as trade, digital governance, and climate action, establishes Africa’s global stature, enhancing our efforts towards self-determination and socio-economic development.

    A New Pan-Africanism: Owned and Driven by the People

    This is a new kind of Pan-Africanism. It moves from summit halls and political rhetoric into markets, factories, studios, farms, and digital platforms. It is owned and driven by the people: by the entrepreneurs, workers, creators, and youth whose future is at stake.

    The “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement does not weaken our nations; it strengthens them by giving our enterprises the scale to generate wealth, innovation, and jobs at home. The Berlin Conference divided Africa without Africans. This generation will surely succeed if the treaties and protocols that our leaders have signed up to over the years are implemented. That will give the people and enterprises the practical tools of open markets, seamless mobility, and shared opportunity.

    The time for a united, prosperous, and borderless Africa is now. The people are ready. The plan is clear. The moment is here.

    JOIN THE MOVEMENT

    This is not a spectator’s moment. This is our collective moment to act. When the campaign launches across the continent and diaspora in 2026, we call on every African and friend of Africa to become a builder of this new reality. 

    Sign the petition. Share the demand. Mobilise your community. Let us transform 10 million signatures into a continental roar that the continent’s 50-plus governments cannot ignore.

    Sign the petition

    Let us move from debating borders to erasing them. From accepting fragmentation to demanding integration. From hoping for unity to enacting it. The lines that divide us are not our destiny. Our destiny is union. Get ready. Stand up. Speak out.

    Together, let us Make Africa Borderless Now!

  • Press Release: Day 4 of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD): Gabon’s Vice President leads high-level delegation to APN Secretariat in strategic closed-door meetings

    Press Release: Day 4 of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD): Gabon’s Vice President leads high-level delegation to APN Secretariat in strategic closed-door meetings

    Accra, Ghana – 8 February 2026 – The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) hosted a series of strategic closed-door meetings on the fourth day of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026, headlined by a high-level visit from Gabon’s Vice President, H.E. Barro Chambier Alexandre, to the APN Secretariat.

    The Vice President led a senior Gabonese delegation that engaged with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene, in discussions focused on Gabon’s economic reform agenda and the country’s strategic priorities under the continental trade framework.

    In a press statement after the meeting, H.E. Wamkele Mene and H.E. Barro Chambier Alexandre spoke about the strategic trade policy discussions. The closed-door session brought together four senior officials from Gabon and four representatives from the AfCFTA Secretariat to explore critical areas, including the finalisation of Gabon’s tariff concession list, enacting necessary trade legislation, and signing the implementation decree to enable exports through the AfCFTA framework.

    Secretary-General Mene highlighted the immense opportunities available to Gabon within Africa’s single market of 1.5 billion people, urging the country to leverage the AfCFTA as it embarks on a renewed economic reform agenda following its recent political transition.”At the heart of that agenda, what I understood from the Vice President, is market diversification, leveraging the AfCFTA,” Mr Mene stated in remarks to the media following the meetings. He expressed satisfaction that Gabon is re-engaging with the African Union and reclaiming its leadership role within Central Africa.

    A Borderless Africa Gains Momentum

    In a significant show of political commitment, Vice President Alexandre affirmed Gabon’s full support for the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement, the groundbreaking campaign launched at APD 2026 that envisions a continent where Africans can move freely across borders without visa restrictions. The movement, which seeks to mobilise 10 million signatures in support of visa-free travel across the continent, represents a watershed moment for African integration. Citizens across the continent and throughout the diaspora are being urged to add their voices to this historic campaign by signing the petition, transforming the aspiration of a truly borderless Africa from a distant dream into an actionable mandate.

    The campaign’s twelve priority action points draw largely from existing protocols and treaties, underscoring that the infrastructure for a borderless Africa already exists; what is needed now is the political will and popular support to implement it. Secretary-General Mene addressed the continental vision during his press briefing, noting that whilst only four of the African Union’s 55 member states have ratified the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya, have taken unilateral steps to improve visa openness, demonstrating that progress is both possible and practical.

    Bilateral Commitments to Integration

    The Gabonese delegation, accompanied by APN’s Executive Chairman Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and board members Vanessa Roux and Kweku Sakyi Addo, also held a courtesy meeting with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

    Minister Ablakwa expressed the Ghanaian government’s full support for the borderless campaign, revealing that Ghana had just concluded a visa-free travel agreement with Zambia earlier in the week. He also discussed the possibility of a similar bilateral agreement between Ghana and Gabon, signalling both countries’ commitment to facilitating easier movement for their citizens.

    Digital Innovation for Financial Integration

    Addressing questions on continental financial convergence, Mr Mene acknowledged that whilst a common African currency remains a key long-term vision requiring significant macroeconomic alignment, Africa could explore innovative pathways through digital instruments and emerging financial technologies.

    “In the advancements of the digital economy, there are other instruments that we can look at which can enable us to move much faster,” he said, referencing the potential of interoperable digital payment systems that would allow Africans to trade without converting currencies through the dollar, a key action point within the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement.

    Expanding the Global Africa Narrative

    Day 4 also featured discussions between APN Chairman Otchere-Darko and Marilyn Sophocle, President of the US-based Women Ambassadors Foundation and Howard University professor, exploring the strategic expansion of APN’s annual Global Africa Forum. Secretariat Ms Sophocle was accompanied by Pascal Meslien, a French Caribbean Africa policy consultant and businessman, and Lucrèce Meslien of Comité de la Marche ’98, a French association that advocates for the recognition of Afro-descendants in French jurisdictions.

    “We want Global Africans not to only see Africa’s integration just as a moral obligation, but also as a profitable venture,” said Mr Otchere-Darko, arguing that Africa’s global perception directly impacts the dignity of people of African descent worldwide. Ms Sophocle, also founder of the African-American and Afro-European Transatlantic Forum, proposed a partnership between APN’s Global Africa Forum, the Women Ambassadors Foundation, and the Organisation of American States to build a comprehensive platform. “The economic contribution of Global Africans towards bankable development projects will serve both as a moral good and a profitable investment,” she said.

    Mr Otchere-Darko proposed expanding the forum to a two-day event, with the New York meeting continuing to focus on the UN General Assembly, whilst a Washington, D.C. meeting would engage the Women Ambassadors Foundation, the Organisation of American States, and academia from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

    The Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 continues to serve as a critical platform for advancing continental integration, economic transformation, and strategic partnerships across Africa and the global African diaspora.

    Join the Movement

    Members of the public who wish to support the vision of a borderless Africa are encouraged to sign the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” petition and add their voice to this historic continental movement.

    About the Make Africa Borderless Now! Movement

    The Make Africa Borderless Now! movement is a transformative initiative driving towards the realisation of a unified African market. By advocating for the elimination of barriers to trade, travel, and economic activity, the movement seeks to unlock Africa’s full economic potential and improve the quality of life for all Africans, both on the continent and across the diaspora.

    Africa Prosperity Network

    The Africa Prosperity Network is a leading Pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing economic integration, sustainable development, and shared prosperity across the African continent. Through strategic initiatives, thought leadership, and collaborative partnerships, the Network works to create an enabling environment for Africa’s economic transformation.

    For More Enquiries, contact:

    Africa Prosperity Network, Communication Directorate
    Tel: +233 20 136 9105
    Email: comms@africaprosperity.network
    Web: www.africaprosperitynetwork.com

    END

    SIGNED:

    Africa Prosperity Network – Communication Directorate

    Distributed to all African and international media houses

  • Africa Prosperity Network Announces Winner of Historic “Make Africa Borderless Now!” Logo Design Competition

    Africa Prosperity Network Announces Winner of Historic “Make Africa Borderless Now!” Logo Design Competition

    Pan-African Movement Receives Over 1,000 Entries from All Six Regions of Africa

    Accra, Ghana, 2 February 2026 — The Africa Prosperity Network is delighted to announce that a winning design has been selected for the Make Africa Borderless Now! movement logo, following an overwhelming response from creative talent across the continent and the global African diaspora.

    The competition, which was announced on 14 January 2026 with an initial deadline for winner announcement set for 26 January 2026, attracted an exceptional 1,041 entries from designers representing all six regions of Africa: East, West, North, South, Central, and Global Africa (the diaspora). Due to the overwhelming response to the call for entries and our commitment to giving each design thorough consideration, the announcement date was extended to ensure a comprehensive and fair evaluation process. This remarkable participation demonstrates the widespread enthusiasm for the movement’s vision of a unified, borderless Africa with seamless trade, travel, and economic integration.

    The rigorous, multi-stage selection process carefully evaluated each submission based on creative excellence, conceptual clarity, and alignment with the Make Africa Borderless Now! vision. The competition progressed through four competitive rounds:

    • First Round: 541 entries advanced from the initial submissions
    • Second Round: 80 designs shortlisted for detailed evaluation
    • Third Round: 10 finalists selected for final consideration
    • Final Round: 5 exceptional designs competed for the top honour

    The Africa Prosperity Network Board of Directors determined the final winner. Having carried the majority of votes in both the final and penultimate rounds, the winning design stood out for its exceptional ability to capture every aspect of the Make Africa Borderless Now! concept. The clarity expressed in both the visual design and the winner’s accompanying description powerfully speaks to the single market agenda, embodying the campaign’s vision for unrestricted movement of people, goods, services, and capital across the African continent.

    The winning logo will be officially unveiled on the third day of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 at the Accra International Conference Centre, Ghana, during the formal launch of the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement. This momentous occasion will mark the beginning of a continent-wide movement to accelerate African economic integration and prosperity.

    About the Make Africa Borderless Now! Movement

    The Make Africa Borderless Now! movement is a transformative initiative driving towards the realisation of a unified African market. By advocating for the elimination of barriers to trade, travel, and economic activity, the movement seeks to unlock Africa’s full economic potential and improve the quality of life for all Africans, both on the continent and across the diaspora.

    Africa Prosperity Network

    The Africa Prosperity Network is a leading Pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing economic integration, sustainable development, and shared prosperity across the African continent. Through strategic initiatives, thought leadership, and collaborative partnerships, the Network works to create an enabling environment for Africa’s economic transformation.

    For More Enquiries, contact:

    Africa Prosperity Network, Communication Directorate
    Tel: +233 20 136 9105
    Email: comms@africaprosperity.network
    Web: www.africaprosperitynetwork.com

    END

    SIGNED:

    Africa Prosperity Network – Communication Directorate

  • Africa’s Single Market Will Fail Without a Supranational Court

    Africa’s Single Market Will Fail Without a Supranational Court

    By Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko

    Picture this: over a century ago, in the stately halls of Berlin, seven European powers, Britain, France, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Italy, gathered to carve up Africa with rulers and pens. Between 1884 and 1914, they imposed borders that severed communities, fractured economies, and disrupted centuries-old trade routes. Only Liberia and Ethiopia escaped this colonial cartography.

    The Nigerian scholar Olyae mi Akinwumi captures this tragedy starkly: “The partition of Africa was done without any consideration for the history of the society… It inflicted irreparable damage on Africa, damage that many countries still suffer today.” These lines, drawn in European capitals, became the prison bars of our modern nations. It is at the heart of Africa’s development crisis.

    When the Organisation of African Unity was formed in 1963, Africa’s leaders chose pragmatism: preserve these colonial borders “for now,” prioritising peace over unity. Paradoxically, six decades later, those same lines remain fiercely protected, even as they undermine Africa’s economic consolidation potential.

    Now, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we stand at a historic threshold. AfCFTA promises to be the world’s largest free trade area by membership. With 1.5 billion people and $3.4 trillion in GDP, the size of this economy, if combined, is projected to double by 2035. It is the boldest attempt since independence to transform Africa’s fragmentation into continental strength. But here is the hard truth: without a supranational court to enforce its rules, AfCFTA will remain a hollow aspiration.

    The AfCFTA’s Dispute Settlement Body: Important but Insufficient

    At the heart of AfCFTA’s legal architecture is the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), modelled more on the Organisation (WTO) system. The DSB is composed of representatives of member states and oversees panels that adjudicate disputes between states concerning trade in goods, services, and investment. In theory, it can authorise retaliatory measures if a state fails to comply with a ruling.

    But there are four critical limitations:

    1. State-to-State Focus – Only governments can bring disputes. The private sector, SMEs, traders, and investors, who are the true drivers of AfCFTA, have no standing. This leaves most cross-border trade conflicts unresolved or politicised.
    2. Ad Hoc Nature – Panels are set up on a case-by-case basis and lack permanence, which slows proceedings and undermines consistency in legal interpretations across the continent.
    3. Political Enforcement – Compliance relies heavily on peer pressure and diplomacy rather than binding enforcement mechanisms. There are no automatic penalties or sanctions to deter breaches.
    4. Fragmentation with Regional Blocs – The DSB must navigate overlaps with ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, and other regional courts and protocols, creating confusion and jurisdictional gaps.

    This system, while a step forward, is designed for isolated trade disputes, not for deep market integration. It cannot resolve the daily frictions that SMEs face at borders, nor can it guarantee the uniform application of AfCFTA rules across 54 diverse legal jurisdictions. For that, Africa needs a permanent supranational court with authority over national law.

    The Missing Judicial Pillar

    Contrast the DSB’s limitations with the European Union’s Court of Justice (CJEU). Through doctrines of primacy and direct effect, EU law overrides conflicting national law, even constitutions. Two landmark rulings illustrate this:

    • Costa v ENEL (1964): An Italian citizen challenged Italy’s nationalisation of its electricity sector, claiming it violated European Community law. The CJEU ruled that European law is supreme over conflicting national laws, even those enacted later, establishing the doctrine of primacy as the cornerstone of Europe’s single market.
    • Factortame (1990): Spanish fishermen contested the UK’s Merchant Shipping Act, which limited foreign ownership of British fishing vessels. The CJEU held that UK courts must disapply domestic laws that conflict with EU law, even if passed by Parliament, cementing the doctrine that national legislation must yield to supranational commitments.

    Without such rulings, Europe’s “four freedoms”, namely, movement of goods, services, people, and capital, would have remained aspirational slogans rather than enforceable rights.

    Lessons from the United States

    The United States offers another powerful precedent. Its single market emerged not by political consensus alone but through federal court rulings that entrenched federal supremacy over state laws.

    • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): The Supreme Court ruled that states could not tax or obstruct federal institutions, cementing the doctrine of federal supremacy.
    • Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): The Court struck down New York’s attempt to regulate steamboat trade, affirming federal authority over interstate commerce as the cornerstone of America’s single market.
    • Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964): The Court used federal commerce powers to enforce civil rights in private businesses, showing how market integration could drive broader societal progress.

    These rulings and many others transformed 13 fractious colonies into the seamless $27 trillion economy we know today. The principle is clear: a single market requires enforceable supremacy of continental law over domestic law.

    The Cost of Weak Enforcement

    If Africa had such a court today, with binding “disapplication” powers to override conflicting national laws:

    • Free Movement Protocols would be enforceable. Ghanaians and Nigerians would not face retail restrictions or harassment when trading in each other’s markets.
    • The Single African Air Transport Market would be operational, ending fragmented bilateral air agreements that keep intra-African flights costly.
    • Visa-Free Africa would be real, allowing Africans to move, trade, and invest across borders with dignity.

    Digital trade would be accelerated. This would ensure the mandatory rollout of the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS), for example, rather than the voluntary or discretionary approach we have.

    PAPSS and Mobile Money: A Silent Revolution

    It must be stressed that PAPSS and continent-wide mobile money interoperability, combined, have the potential to achieve what regional blocs like ECOWAS have struggled with for decades: monetary convergence. The practical benefits of having a single currency can be achieved without having a single currency, if digital payment systems of interoperability are brought to full use in cross-border transactions in Africa.

    If African leaders acknowledge the role of the digital economy in African economies now and for the future, then we should, with greater urgency, adopt the use of distributed ledger technology and standardised API interfaces to allow instantaneous payment settlement between different currencies and from different countries, and by eliminating the need for correspondent banks.  Thus, a near future where a Ghanaian can buy a dress from a Kenyan tailor she finds on Instagram, pays in cedis, and has the seller receive shillings instantly, no dollars, no forex queues, no wahala.

    In 2024, the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) pushed this cross-border interoperability agenda with various stakeholders across regions. Through the President of Ghana, it was unanimously endorsed by the AU and regional economic communities at the 6th Midyear Coordination Meeting held in Accra on 21 July 2024. Yet even if this is to translate into a decision at the next AU Summit in Addis Ababa, it will still remain optional, with no obvious consequences for non-implementation.

    This is Africa’s greatest integration tragedy: bold commitments at summits in the form of treaties and protocols, but selective execution at home. Only a supranational court can change this dynamic.

    The 2030 Imperative

    By 2030, I believe AfCFTA must have a fully operational African Commercial Court of Justice (ACCJ) with powers to:

    • Resolve trade, competition, and free movement disputes with final authority.
    • Override conflicting national laws undermining AU commitments.
    • Provide preliminary rulings to ensure uniform interpretation across member states.
    • Grant direct access to businesses and individuals, not just states.
    • Enforce compliance through fines, sanctions, or trade remedies.

    This court would anchor AfCFTA, harmonise rules, give investors certainty, and prevent protectionist backsliding that fragments our market.

    Making Africans Believe the Market Is Real

    AfCFTA will succeed only when Africans believe it is real. When a farmer in Zambia can sell maize to Congo without arbitrary fees, when a fintech startup in Nairobi can seamlessly operate in Casablanca, when an Instagram entrepreneur in Accra can sell to Lagos without exchange headaches, then the single market becomes tangible.

    From 4-6 February 2026, Accra will host an anticipated 5,000 delegates from over 100 countries, at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 under the theme: “Empowering SMEs, Women, and Youth: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade.” But the easiest way to do so in order for these critical groups to own and drive Africa’s single market is to ensure that their cross-border ambitions are not thwarted by customs and immigration officers, protectionist unions, or inconsistent domestic regulations. Enforceable continental law is not a luxury; it is the foundation of trust and mobility in the single market.

    A Call for Courage

    Africa’s borders were drawn in European capitals. It is time to redraw them, not on maps, but in law. Ceding limited sovereignty to a continental court is not surrender; it is the price of dignity and prosperity for all Africans, including Global Africans. It is what will strengthen the collective sovereignty of Africa and Africans.

    If we are serious about building beyond a $3.4 trillion market for 1.5 billion Africans, we must be serious about the rules that bind it and the court that enforces them.

    Europe and the United States both demonstrate this truth: markets do not unify by goodwill; they unify through enforceable law. Africa can no longer do what seems convenient as against what works, boldly, decisively, and without delay.

    By 2030, the African Commercial Court of Justice must be in place. The world will not wait. Neither can we.

    -End-

    About the Author:

    Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is one of Africa’s leading corporate lawyers. Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network and Senior Partner at ALPi Ghana (Africa Legal Associates), part of a Pan-African law group operating in 11 African countries, specialising in the single market. He also co-chairs the Commonwealth Legal Network and advocates for deeper African economic and legal integration._ He may be reached on gabby@africaprosperity.network

  • Make Africa Borderless Now: The People’s Movement for Continental Integration

    Make Africa Borderless Now: The People’s Movement for Continental Integration

    From Grassroots Petition to Political Priority: A Campaign to Unite a Continent

    In a world where global headwinds are shifting and external barriers are rising, especially against African migrants, a powerful, people-driven campaign is preparing to sweep across Africa in 2026. The “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement. This movement will be unveiled formally in Accra, Ghana, in February at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026.

    It has a singular but transformational mission: to remove the artificial borders that have kept Africans apart from one another for over a century, and to finally make continental integration not merely an aspiration of leaders, but a demand of the African people themselves.

    The goal is bold: to mobilise more than 10 million signatures across Africa and its global diaspora and to present them directly to Heads of State at the 40th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in February 2027. But it is also achievable. I say that with conviction because I have seen it done before, and this was without the technological advantages of the world we live in today.

    Why I Believe We Can Mobilise Over 10 Million

    I speak not only as Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, the institution leading this campaign. I also speak as someone who has lived a similar moment in history. In the 1990s, I joined the global Drop the Debt (Jubilee 2000) campaign. This was a movement that asked the world’s wealthiest nations to cancel the crushing debts holding Africa and the Global South back. It was the powerful catalyst which galvanised global public opinion, forcing the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, along with G7 leaders, to offer more substantial and rapid debt relief than originally envisioned in 1996 for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

    Armed only with pen-and-paper petitions, radio, and the occasional fax machine, that grassroots effort, powered by voices such as Bono, Quincy Jones, Muhammad Ali, Bob Geldof, Youssou N’Dour, Thom Yorke and others, captured the imagination of the world. We did the “impossible.” We gathered 24 million signatures, well before the age of social media, WhatsApp, TikTok, or digital mobilisation campaigns.

    Today, Africa is younger, more connected, and more digitally empowered than ever.

    If we could mobilise 24 million people in the 1990s to fight for debt cancellation, we can certainly mobilise over 10 million Africans in 2026 to demand free movement, open skies, and a truly united continent.

    A New Engine for African Unity

    The Make Africa Borderless Now! Movement is officially led by the Africa Prosperity Network, working in collaboration with major Pan-African institutions. It launches on the continental stage at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 — to be held 4 –6 February 2026 at the Accra International Conference Centre, under the patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat, AfDB, AUDA-NEPAD, BADEA, AFC and others.

    But at APD 2026 and after its launch, the movement will not be owned by institutions; it will be owned by Africans. In fact, it will be the first time that the socio-economic integration project will be made to be owned and driven by the people, especially the youth, whose future is at stake.

    Our strategy is deliberately “people-powered.” This is a Global African mobilisation ecosystem.

    We will:

    • Harness digital tools and social platforms
    • Engage big business, SMEs, traders, NGOs, labour unions and pan-African entrepreneurs
    • Activate cultural influencers — from musicians and film icons to athletes and creators
    • Deploy community radio, churches, mosques, chiefs, youth groups and women’s associations

    Build a web platform where every African or friend of Africa can sign, share, and even compete to design the official logo!

    This is designed to be a destiny-defining movement, a prosperous, integrated Africa, where its 1.5 billion people can move freely, trade freely and unleash talents, resources and ideas in a borderless Africa which will put our collective dignity and destiny beyond reproach. A movement insisting on destiny realisation.

    A Twelve-Pillar Roadmap to a Borderless Africa

    At the heart of Make Africa Borderless Now! is a twelve-pillar blueprint. Ours is a practical plan grounded in existing AU treaties and protocols but pushed forward with people-powered urgency for implementation:

    For People

    • Visa-free travel across Africa
    • Open Skies: liberalise air routes
    • A continent-wide biometric passport & digital African ID

    For Trade

    • A single African customs union
    • Harmonised standards & a continent-wide commercial law ecosystem
    • Seamless cross-border digital payments
    • Full activation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol

    For Foundations

    • Trans-African infrastructure and logistics corridors
    • An African Court of Justice to enforce a true single market
    • Women and youth at the centre of continental prosperity
    • One African voice in global negotiations

    All of these echo long-agreed frameworks — from the Abuja Treaty (1991) to the Yamoussoukro Decision (1999) to the Free Movement Protocol (2018) — but which have waited decades for action.

    Never has the urgency been clearer. In February 2025, the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank jointly urged African governments to remove visa restrictions, warning of the economic self-harm caused by internal barriers. Meanwhile, in Europe and America, all efforts are being made to keep Africans. These nations’ tightening immigration, threatening academic, business, and cultural exchanges, serve as a stark reminder of what we need to do: If Africa does not build its own internal freedom of movement, someone else will dictate and stifle our progress for us.

    A borderless Africa is not simply a dream; it is a strategic act of self-protection, self-determination and self-enhancement.

    This campaign asks a historic question: Can 10 million African voices move 55 African governments?

    Yes — if those voices become a single continental roar.

    Yes — if this time, the African people themselves lead the Pan-African movement.

    Yes — if we insist that unity stops being poetry and becomes policy delivered.

    As I reflect on Jubilee 2000, on the petitions carried in backpacks, the signatures handwritten in villages, stadiums, churches and concerts, I know what it takes to move the world. And I know that Africa today is far more ready.

    Our belief is simple and powerful: Africa’s greatest strength lies in its unity, particularly economic unity, and the time to finally achieve it is now. And, so we say to Africans everywhere, get ready to join us in 2026: Sign. Share. Mobilise. Demand your freedom of movement.

    Make Africa Borderless — Now!

    Sign the Petition

    This article is written by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder and Executive Director of the Africa Prosperity Network. He can be reached at gabby@africaprosperity.network

  • Press Release: Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 to feature keynote by AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tah

    Press Release: Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 to feature keynote by AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tah

    Accra, Ghana — Sunday, 21 December 2025.

    The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) is proud to announce that a defining highlight of the upcoming Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 will be a keynote address by Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    The fourth of the annual Africa Prosperity Dialogues will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre, 4-6 February 2026, under the distinguished patronage of HE President John Dramani Mahama.

    Dr Ould Tah, who assumed office in September 2025, has swiftly emerged as a dynamic force in continental finance. His leadership was profoundly demonstrated within his first 100 days, as he successfully secured a historic $11 billion replenishment for the African Development Fund (ADF), the largest in the institution’s 53-year history. This remarkable achievement was secured against a backdrop of severe global fiscal constraints and shifting donor priorities.

    Dr Ould Tah will address the theme of APD 2026: “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth for Africa’s Single Market”, and take the opportunity to lay out his vision of enhancing AFDB’s support for and partnership with Africa’s private sector to deepen development and prosperity.

    A particularly notable aspect of his success in his first 100 days has been Dr Tah’s adept navigation of a significant funding challenge.

    Following the withdrawal of a major traditional partner, a scenario that could have been disastrous for the Fund’s ambitions, he effectively mobilised a powerful coalition of 43 global and African partners to not only plug the gap but significantly exceed previous funding levels.

    In a powerful symbol of a new era, 23 African nations themselves stepped up as contributors, signalling a decisive shift from the continent being solely a beneficiary to becoming a co-investor in its own future.

    “This is not just a replenishment, but a turning point,” stated Dr Tah following the landmark pledging session. His strategic vision focuses on leveraging concessional resources to attract larger volumes of private capital, ensuring that every dollar deployed has a multiplied impact on the ground.

    The APN is thrilled to host Dr Ould Tah at APD 2026, where he will share his insights on mobilising resources, fostering public-private synergies, and accelerating the practical implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    His address is expected to chart a concrete pathway for transforming political commitments into tangible prosperity for all Africans, as the organisers plan to use the platform to mobilise broader public support among Africans for the implementation of the various African Union protocols and treaties designed to facilitate free movements and boost significantly intra-African trade and economic integration and growth across Africa.

    The African Development Bank Group is a proud institutional partner of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to actionable dialogue and collaborative frameworks that will fast-track the “Africa We Want.”

    We invite all stakeholders, governments, businesses, financiers, and development institutions to join us at this pivotal gathering to engage with Dr Ould Tah and other continental leaders in shaping a more integrated and prosperous Africa.

    To register, visit: www.apd2026.africaprosperitynetwork.com

    ABOUT THE AFRICA PROSPERITY DIALOGUES

    The Africa Prosperity Dialogues is the flagship initiative of the Africa Prosperity Network, convening heads of state, business leaders, institutional heads, financiers and private sector actors to develop actionable plans for driving economic integration and wealth creation across the African continent.

  • Press Release: Africa Prosperity Network to launch historic 10-million signature campaign for a Borderless Africa at flagship 2026 Dialogues

    Press Release: Africa Prosperity Network to launch historic 10-million signature campaign for a Borderless Africa at flagship 2026 Dialogues

    Accra, Ghana – Monday, 1 December 2025 – The journey to a truly integrated Africa reaches a pivotal milestone in February 2026. The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) will use its flagship Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 to officially launch the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” campaign, a historic, youth-led mobilisation aiming to secure over 10 million signatures from across the continent and diaspora.

    Hosted by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana from 4th to 6th February 2026 at the Accra International Conference Centre, APD 2026 will transition from high-level discussion to mass public action. The event will set in motion a one-year drive, culminating in the presentation of the signatures to African Heads of State at the 40th African Union Summit in February 2027.

    From Dialogues to a Continental Movement

    The APD 2026 summit is the designated launchpad for this ambitious year-long civic effort, which, among other demands, will call for visa-free travel for Africans across Africa, enabling Africans to buy and sell across borders using their mobile money wallets and, essentially, to allow free movement of people, goods, capital and services across Africa’s existing borders.

    A dedicated Africa Without Borders Desk has been established at the APN Secretariat in Accra to coordinate the mobilisation, which has already garnered “phenomenal interest” from multilateral institutions, notable industrialists, celebrities from the creative sector, Pan-African influencers, and youth groups.

    Among the prominent Pan-Africanists behind the campaign is Professor PLO Lumumba, the renowned Kenyan Pan-Africanist, legal scholar, and orator. He is expected to ignite the spirit of the campaign with his much-anticipated keynote address at the launch, which takes place in the nearly 3,000-capacity Accra International Conference Centre next February. 

    The campaign’s core ask is direct: it calls on leaders to fully implement the African Union protocols and AfCFTA-enabling instruments they have already signed.

    “The petition is simply about asking African leaders to gather the political will to implement treaties and protocols they themselves have adopted and agreed to implement but are being slow. Our goal is to send a strong delegation to the African Union to present 10 million signatures and say: ‘Your people want a borderless Africa, simply by implementing what you have already agreed to do,’” explained Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the Founder and Executive Chairman of APN.

    Empowering the Drivers of Africa’s Economy

    “If over 80% of employment and business activities in Africa come from SMEs, then the best way to empower them is to implement the treaties and protocols that our Heads of State have already signed at the AU level. What SMEs, women and young entrepreneurs want is simple: the freedom to move and trade across our borders,” he stressed.

    Ashley Asenso, APN’s Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships, adds:

    “This campaign focuses on the single-market enablers African leaders have already endorsed, visa-free travel for Africans, full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market, and mobile-money interoperability so that Africans can buy and sell across borders using their own currencies.”

    Sidig Eltoum, CEO, APN, explained, “The focus is on removing the physical, financial, and digital barriers that hold back the continent’s primary job creators, SMEs, and by so doing, we offer a new, exciting world of opportunities for a continent which has 60% of its citizens under the age of 25. That is why we have chosen to convert the energy and agreements from Accra into a tangible, citizen-powered mandate for action.”

    The campaign’s 12-point agenda will be unveiled at the launch, during the 3-day dialogues, from 4-6 February in Accra, where delegates will be given the opportunity to contribute to the discussions.

    Join the Launch and the Movement

    APN invites all Africans and friends of Africa, entrepreneurs, and advocates for integration to be part of this defining moment. Participation in APD 2026 is the first step to joining the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement.

    Registration for the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 is still open.

    Register at: http://www.africaprosperitynetwork.com

    For media enquiries, contact:

    Africa Prosperity Network, Communication Directorate

    Tel: +233 20 136 9105

    Web: www.africaprosperitynetwork.com

    End

  • Unleashing Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Youth Challenges and Opportunities in Agenda 2063

    Unleashing Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Youth Challenges and Opportunities in Agenda 2063

    The world’s ten youngest countries by median age are all African. Today’s newborns will be navigating their forties by 2063 and inherit the African Union’s Agenda 2063. A staggering 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25. The continent’s youth play a central role in all our narratives.

    However, the youth face formidable challenges. Unemployment rates soar as high as 40% in some countries, signalling an urgent crisis. Equally concerning is the education gap, with UNESCO noting that over 30 million primary-school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa are out of school, impeding crucial skills development.

    Presently, youth representation in African political offices is strikingly low, with the median age of leaders at around 62 years. This gap highlights the need for policies that foster intergenerational equity transfer and meaningful youth contributions, especially at the AU level.

    The AU Commission’s Youth Division underscores the value of mentorship and civic education programmes. Countries that have implemented these initiatives have witnessed increased youth participation in voting and leadership roles.

    Africa’s creative sector should be a leading area of youth employment. The sector holds immense economic potential, as noted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The creative sector is estimated to be worth $2.25 trillion globally, yet Africa’s share is minimal due to low intellectual property (IP) rights ownership.

    The global animation industry alone grosses about $300 billion annually, but only a fraction of that value accrues in Africa. However, the IP rights are not owned by African animators, thus most of the revenue does not stay on the continent. Investment in the creative sector, coupled with effective policy to incentivise protection of African IP, could stimulate job creation and economic diversification.

    A surge in African patent applications, as reported by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), signals growing innovation. Governments and private entities should capitalise on this trend by investing in creative hubs – such as Uganda’s Innovation Village – and supporting emerging artists and entrepreneurs.

    Investing in education is crucial, given the strong link between education and socio-economic development. Governments must prioritise education funding, ensuring curricula are aligned with modern job market needs.

    The transformative role of technology in empowering Africa’s youth is significant. The continent is expected to record the highest fixed broadband subscriptions growth rate between 2024 and 2027 globally. Leveraging technology for political engagement is crucial to increasing civic participation and youth engagement in political processes.

    The challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s youth in leadership and the creative sector reveal a roadmap for transformative change. By addressing these challenges through youth inclusion, evidence-based policies and strategic investments, Africa can unlock its demographic dividend and empower its young population to actively shape the continent’s future.

    A data-driven approach is essential to ensure that the youth not only become beneficiaries but active contributors to Africa’s socio-economic and political landscape.

  • The AFCFTA: The Journey so far and ahead

    The AFCFTA: The Journey so far and ahead

    By H.E. WAMKELE MENE, SECRETARY-GENERAL, AFCFTA SECRETARIAT

    The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), once an ambitious dream, has remarkably transitioned to become a reality, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s commitment to economic integration. Today, the AfCFTA stands as а testament not only to the continent’s ability to translate ambitions into actionable goals but also to its evolving role in the global economic sphere.

    The journey of the AfCFTA, from its inception to its current status, has been rapid and marked by high political momentum. This is evident in the actions and intentions at the highest levels of Government and Industry. Negotiated from 15 June 2015 to 21 March 2018, and culminating in the signing of the Framework Agreement along with the three Protocols on Goods, Services, and Dispute Settlement, the AfCFTA’s progression has been unprecedented. Today, as a fully fledged international organisation, it enjoys international recognition, being lauded as a game-changer in the political economy of Africa. The AfCFTA has undeniably become an integral part of any discourse on Africa’s economic future.

    As the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries, the AfCFTA connects 1.4 billion people across 55 countries, with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately US$3.4 trillion. Its full implementation promises an integrated African market for goods and services, alongside the free movement of people and capital, laying the foundations for a common market across the continent.

    Significant strides have been achieved in the ratification, negotiation, and implementation of the AfCFTA’s legal frameworks, including its foundational agreement and various protocols. Yet, the road ahead remains crucial for ensuring that the benefits of free trade under the AfCFTA are equitably distributed, contributing to the long-term prosperity of the continent.

    The implementation has probably felt long at times. We have exceeded deadlines. However, it is important to recognise the substantial progress we have made. The AfCFTA came into existence amid a global pandemic, a significant context that cannot be overlooked. The pandemic has had profound impacts on economies around the world, and Africa has been no exception. The economic fallout from this pandemic has been compounded by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, adding layers of complexity to our journey.

    Looking to the future, and in line with the African Union’s broader integration goals, as outlined in Agenda 2063, the AfCFTA is a means towards the larger goal of creating a common market in Africa. Through the progressive elimination of trade and movement barriers, coupled with enhanced coordination and integration of economic policies, the AfCFTA is poised to lay the groundwork for a more deeply interconnected African economy. This forward movement is pivotal in realising the vision of an integrated African market.

    The journey so far

    As of December 2023, the AfCFTA has witnessed remarkable advancements in its journey towards unifying African economies. A total of 54 out of 55 African Union Member States have signed the agreement, with Eritrea as the lone exception. The ratification process has also progressed significantly, with 47 countries formally endorsing the agreement, leaving just eight to finalise their ratification.

    Significant progress has been made in the negotiations under the AfCFTA, which have been conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase, covering negotiations on trade in goods, trade in services, and the establishment of a dispute settlement mechanism, has largely been completed.

    The objective for trade in goods under the AfCFTA is to progressively liberalise 97% of tariff lines over a span of 5 to 13 years, commencing from January 1, 2021, which marks the official launch of trading under the preferential terms set by the AfCFTA. A major achievement in this area is the agreement on rules of origin for 92.3% of tariff lines, accounting for 95.5% of intra-Africa trade, thus providing a strong foundation for the AfCFTA framework.

    The development and distribution of necessary trading documents with enhanced security features have been completed, facilitating trade in African-made goods. However, negotiations are still ongoing for the remaining 7.7% of rules of origin, especially in the automotive and textiles sectors, to ensure comprehensive implementation of the protocol. Market access has also seen progress, with the adoption of 42 provisional schedules, tariff concessions and 22 service schedules of specific commitments, and an additional 26 service schedules are close to finalisation.

    With regard to the Protocol on Trade in Services, negotiations in the five priority sectors (financial, communication, transport, tourism, and business services) are underway, with plans for further liberalisation in seven more sectors.

    The AfCFTA Dispute Settlement Mechanism has been operationalised, providing a framework to resolve disputes arising from investment, trade in goods and services, or market access. This development is poised to enhance investment security in Africa for both domestic and foreign investors.

    The phase II Protocols on Competition Policy, Investment and Intellectual Property Rights have been concluded and adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. These protocols are now open for ratification. The final two (2) Phase II Protocols, focusing on Digital Trade and Women and Youth in Trade, are expected to be adopted at the February 2024 African Union Summit. These protocols are key to fostering a more inclusive and digitally advanced trade environment.

    In anticipation of finalising all negotiations, especially those related to rules of origin and tariff concessions, the AfCFTA Secretariat launched the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) in October 2022.

    This initiative, starting with seven State Parties and now positioned to include 31, has been vital in promoting intra-African trade and has helped to test the state of readiness and effectiveness of the legal framework of the AfCFTA instruments and institutional national systems in the participating countries, as well as identify possible future interventions to increase intra-African trade and maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA.

    Countries participating in the GTI have actively engaged in exports and imports under AfCFTA rules, using documents such as certificates of origin, customs declarations, and sanitary and phytosanitary certificates.

    The AfCFTA has actively involved the private sector, recognising its role as a key driver of economic growth. Towards this end, a strategy prioritising key sectors like automotives, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and transport and logistics has been implemented to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. Additionally, in collaboration with Zenith Bank Plc, the Secretariat is developing SMARTAFCFTA, a central data repository providing comprehensive trade-related information to unlock trade opportunities in Africa. Recognising its substantial potential in fostering regional value chains, creating employment, and driving structural transformation, a specialised Automotive Fund has been launched to support the development of the automotive sector priority area under the AfCFTA Private Sector strategy. This fund is designed to facilitate investments aimed at enhancing local content in the automotive value chain. Additionally, it aims to ensure the availability of consumer finance, thereby stimulating demand and supporting related insurance products.

    An AfCFTA Adjustment Fund has also been established and is designed to support both State Parties and the private sector in adapting to the major trade liberalisation brought about by the AfCFTA Agreement. As with any major trade liberalisation regime, the AfCFTA Agreement will introduce short-term disruptions, as tariff revenues by State Parties are reduced, industrial sectors are disordered, businesses and supply chains are reorganised, and employment is dislocated.

    For instance, the fund can be pivotal for countries facing challenges in sectors like textiles and clothing, providing financial assistance for worker retraining, recapitalisation, machinery procurement, or enhancing competitiveness. The Adjustment Fund is composed of three components: a Base Fund, a General Fund, and a Credit Fund, each serving distinct purposes in the adjustment process.

    Another notable achievement in the AfCFTA framework is the operationalisation of the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a centralised Financial Market Infrastructure designed to facilitate the secure and efficient flow of funds across African countries, allowing them to trade in their own currencies. As of October 2023, the PAPSS boasts the participation of ten central banks, 50 commercial banks, and five switches. The growing involvement of additional countries is expected to enhance the system’s capability to support intra-African trade.

    An annual dialogue platform for the private sector and other stakeholders, known as “BIASHARA AFRIKA”, has been established at the continental level. The 2023 event, held in Cape Town under the patronage of President Cyril Ramaphosa, attracted over 1,200 physical and 2,000 virtual participants from various countries.

    The third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), held in Cairo in November 2023, featured 1,615 exhibitors from 61 countries and generated over US$40 billion in trade and investment deals. Algeria is set to host the fourth IATF in 2025, following Egypt and South Africa as previous hosts. 

    In a strategic move to support the agreement’s implementation, a 13-member AfCFTA Trade and Industrial Development Advisory Council has been established. This council is tasked with providing expert advice to the AfCFTA Secretariat on matters of trade integration and facilitation, industrial development and regional value chains, as well as inclusivity issues, crucial for the successful realisation of the AfCFTA objectives.

    At the national level, designated Competent Authorities have largely been appointed, and governmental structures are being reorganised to align with the AfCFTA objectives. National focal points are being established to address specific aspects of the agreement, such as non-tariff barriers. These focal points, alongside national and regional committees, are essential for ensuring coordinated and effective implementation across the continent. Most member states are actively engaged in this process, either finalising or developing their specific AfCFTA implementation strategies. They are also preparing their private sectors to capitalise on broader market access opportunities provided by the AfCFTA. 

    AfCFTA: Implementation Stage

    The AfCFTA is now in a crucial phase focused on practical implementation. To emphasise this priority, the African Union designated 2023 as the “Year of the AfCFTA” under the theme “Accelerating the Implementation of the AfCFTA”. This phase is crucial for transforming the agreement’s potential into tangible outcomes.

    The transition to a more practical phase in the AfCFTA involves several key developments. This is marked by the activation of key institutional mechanisms, integration of legal and regulatory frameworks, and the preparation of State Parties to actively participate in and derive benefits from the agreement.

    Notable achievements in this phase include the effective activation of AfCFTA’s institutional structures. The Council of Ministers and the Committee of Senior Officials have been operationalised, along with numerous committees and subcommittees dedicated to Goods and Services. The Dispute Settlement Body and the Appellate Body are also functional, enhancing the agreement’s governance. The establishment of the AfCFTA Review Mechanism represents another significant step in the evolution of the agreement’s institutional framework. The progress in these areas indicates a strong commitment to realising the AfCFTA’s vision of an integrated and prosperous African market. 

    AfCFTA: The Next Stage

    The AfCFTA aims to “lay the foundation for the establishment of a Continental Customs Union at a later stage,” a goal that signifies a deeper level of integration within the continent. This ambitious aim calls for the gradual merging of the existing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Free Trade Agreements into a single, cohesive African trade area, complete with a common external tariff.

    Serving as both a stepping stone and a catalyst, the AfCFTA is systematically addressing the essential elements required to accomplish this goal with its variety of protocols and mechanisms. These initiatives play a critical role in promoting economic development and integration throughout the continent.

    Consequently, realising the goal of the Continental Customs Union requires the swift and effective implementation of the AfCFTA. This involves accelerating the completion of key technical details, including the schedules of concessions for trade in goods, rules of origin, and specific commitments for trade in services, all fundamental to the practical functioning of the AfCFTA. Furthermore, it is essential that all African countries that have not yet done to ratify the agreement without delay. A coordinated and collective approach across the continent is vital for the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, ultimately laying the groundwork for the future realisation of a Continental Customs Union. Additionally, the ratification and implementation of the AfCFTA by Africa’s four Customs Unions (CEMAC, EAC, ECOWAS, and SACU) are important, given their common external tariffs. Partial implementation could risk the integrity of these customs regimes.

    Beyond the goal of a continental Customs Union, the AfCFTA represents an essential step towards establishing a single or common market in Africa, aligning with the long-term objectives and commitments outlined since the Abuja Treaty. For a common market to function effectively, it is imperative for Member States to align their trade regulations, customs procedures, and standards. The AfCFTA offers a framework for this harmonisation, simplifying and enhancing cross-border business activities within the continent.

    In February 2023, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union’s adoption of intellectual African Union’s adoption of three new protocols – covering investment, property rights (IPR), and competition policy – significantly broadened the scope of the AfCFTA. This expansion moves the Agreement beyond traditional free trade agreements and lays a robust foundation for an integrated market, involving the free movement of goods, services, people, capital, and investment.

    In this broader context, the AfCFTA should be seen as part of the larger African integration effort, which includes the African Union Protocol on Free Movement and the Single African Air Transport Market, among other initiatives. Progress towards an African single market involves not just trade integration but also the strengthening of these initiatives, such as the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, a vital component of a common market.

    A Solid Foundation

    As we reflect on the journey of the AfCFTA so far and consider the steps necessary to advance to the next stage, it is evident that the AfCFTA represents a transformative milestone in Africa’s economic history. From its inception to its current phase of implementation, the AfCFTA has shown remarkable progress towards establishing a single market for goods and services to facilitate the continent’s economic integration in the pursuit of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union

    A solid foundation of the AfCFTA has been established through the negotiation and ratification of Looking ahead, the AfCFTA is not just an economic agreement but a vehicle for broader socio-economic transformation. It holds the promise of an integrated African market that supports sustainable development, inclusive growth, and poverty alleviation. The journey so far has laid a strong foundation, and the path ahead, while challenging, is replete with opportunities for a prosperous and integrated continent.

    In conclusion, the AfCFTA’s journey to date has been marked by noteworthy achievements and important lessons. As we progress into the next phase, it is imperative that all stakeholders – including governments, the private sector, regional organisations, and international partners maintain and strengthen their collaborative efforts. It is through this sustained cooperation and shared commitment that the full potential of the AfCFTA can be unlocked. This collaborative approach is key to fostering an era marked by robust economic integration and growth, as well as inclusive and sustainable development across the African continent towards sustained economic growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods for its people.