AACS Fortnightly
(Mondays)
6th November 2023
From the Chairman’s Desk,
The Quest for African Integration
The population of Africa is estimated at more than 1.4bn, with youths accounting for over 70% (below 30 years) and a median age of 18.8 years. Further, over 30% of the world’s mineral reserves are on the continent including but not limited to oil & gas, diamonds, gold, cobalt, platinum, lithium, uranium etc. Africa continues to export a large percentage of its primary products to the West, China and other parts of the world. Adding value and trading between African nations is bare.
AACS, like a lot of analysts, believe a key contributing factor to underdevelopment in the continent is the absence of free movement and trading amongst its nations. A local model of The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will be good for trade within the continent, even if qualifying products will be determined. However, an economic model which is highly focused on intra-African trade would significantly benefit the nations on the continent. Intra-Africa trade is estimated to account for only 18% of Africa’s total trade, compared to 80% of Africa trade with the outside world. It is against the backdrop of this that the recent pronouncement by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda that all Africans will henceforth enter the country visa-free should be commended. Further, reports show that Kenya has approved the same position effective 1st of January 2024, joining the growing list of nations like Gambia, Seychelles and Benin who have removed travel restrictions for Africans in their countries. This trend is key to the success of the continental free trade objectives. If total visa-free entry status cannot be rolled out immediately for security or other reasons, then African nations for starters could adopt the ‘visas on arrival’ that allow basic screening at ports of entry or introductions of electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) which is an electronic portal clearing done just before nationals leaves their home country.
The continent requires increased trade and tourism amongst its nations, and the removals of these travel and trade barriers which can rival the agreements in Europe’s Schengen Zone should be worked at. Achieving the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement is key to grow the diversification of the African continent, and provide competitive economies of scale. Bilateral partnerships amongst the nations need enhancements to bolster Intra-Africa trade. All African Presidents and Leaders including the more viable and growing economies like Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Botswana and Mauritius should be encouraged to push free movement amongst Africans to drive tourism and trade in the continent.
Vincent Ekenemchukwu Uwajeh
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