{"id":93575,"date":"2026-02-09T07:32:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T07:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/gambia\/uncategorized\/building-a-borderless-africa-as-economic-imperative"},"modified":"2026-02-09T08:21:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:21:40","slug":"building-a-borderless-africa-as-economic-imperative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/gambia\/all-news\/building-a-borderless-africa-as-economic-imperative","title":{"rendered":"Building a Borderless Africa as Economic Imperative"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Gambia. <\/strong> <\/span>Gathered from February 4 to 6 in Accra for the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, public and private sector leaders renewed calls to accelerate continental integration. Behind the appeals to \u201cMake Africa Borderless Now,\u201d the stakes go far beyond political symbolism: building an integrated continental market capable of accelerating industrialization, boosting intra-African trade, and creating opportunities for the continent\u2019s youth.<\/b><\/p>\n

The primary argument is economic. Today, the continent still trades very little with itself. According to UNCTAD and the African Development Bank, intra-African trade fluctuates between 14% and 16% of total trade \u2014 far behind Europe, where it stands at around 60%, or Asia, above 50%. This fragmentation of markets limits economies of scale, slows industrial transformation, and increases production costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cInvisible\u201d obstacles<\/p>\n

For Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA, the continental trade agreement goes far beyond tariff issues alone: \u201cThe AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is a development agreement.\u201d Behind this statement lies the continent\u2019s ability to transform its wealth locally. The World Bank estimates that its full implementation could generate up to $450 billion in additional income by 2035 and lift more than 30 million people out of extreme poverty.Removing tariffs \u2014 set to be eliminated on 90% of tariff lines \u2014 will not be enough. The real obstacles are often invisible. Lengthy customs procedures, overlapping standards, administrative bottlenecks, and excessive logistics costs all hinder trade fluidity. In some landlocked countries, transport can account for up to 75% of the value of goods, according to the AfDB. Without efficient infrastructure, integration remains theoretical. As Afreximbank puts it: \u201cAfrica cannot trade if it cannot move its goods.\u201d<\/p>\n

The financial dimension is another major constraint. For a long time, more than 80% of intra-African payments were routed through correspondent banks outside the continent, generating costs and delays. The launch of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) aims precisely to enable transactions in local currencies. For Benedict Oramah, former President of Afreximbank, the challenge is strategic: \u201cWe must free African trade from the constraints of foreign currencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visa restrictions, non-recognition of diplomas, and fragmented labor markets<\/p>\n

Integration must also serve industrialization. Producing for fragmented national markets of limited size discourages manufacturing investment. Conversely, an integrated continental market creates sufficient demand to make local processing viable. The UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the AfCFTA could increase intra-African exports of manufactured goods by more than 40%. Economist Carlos Lopes summarizes it clearly: \u201cAfrica\u2019s industrialization will not happen without market integration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond trade flows, free movement also concerns people. With more than 60% of its population under the age of 25, the continent holds the world\u2019s largest demographic dividend. Yet visa restrictions, non-recognition of qualifications, and segmented labor markets continue to limit talent mobility, hampering innovation and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n

A tool of sovereigntyIn an international context marked by health, climate, and geopolitical crises, integration is also emerging as a tool of sovereignty. Processing raw materials locally, securing regional supply chains, and reducing external dependence are becoming strategic priorities. As Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, emphasized: \u201cThe AfCFTA represents a historic opportunity to redefine Africa\u2019s place in the global economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond economic mechanisms, building a borderless Africa is \u043f\u0440\u0435\u0436\u0434\u0435 \u0432\u0441\u0435\u0433\u043e a political and generational project. Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, former South African minister, and a major figure of continental integration, Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma embodies one of its strongest visions.<\/p>\n

At the Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra, she delivered this call, which resonates as a compass for the continent\u2019s future: \u201cWe must build an Africa where young people want to live, not where they want to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

A borderless Africa, therefore, is not only about trade. It embodies the promise of a continent capable of offering its youth horizons that match its potential.<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Gambia<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Gambia. Gathered from February 4 to 6 in Accra for the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, public and private sector leaders renewed calls to accelerate continental integration. Behind the appeals to \u201cMake Africa Borderless Now,\u201d the stakes go far beyond political symbolism: building an integrated continental market capable of accelerating industrialization, boosting intra-African trade, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":93574,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[260],"class_list":["post-93575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-files","tag-gambia"],"yoast_head":"\nBuilding a Borderless Africa as Economic Imperative - Gambia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Gambia. 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