One of the centerpiece initiatives of Agenda 2063, the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a chance for Africa to advance toward the establishment of an integrated market that will ultimately result in the creation of an African Economic Community, as outlined in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty), which was adopted on June 3, 19991 and came into effect on May 12, 1994.
Economic dynamism among the members of the African Union is anticipated to be encouraged by the AfCFTA’s expedited full implementation.
Africa’s process of industrialisation and value addition to exports is anticipated to go more quickly as a result of the significant economic block and the promotion of regional value chains.
The Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals of the African Union Commission, along with the Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Pan-African Private Sector, Civil Society, Academic Institutions, Research Institutions, Women, and Youths, celebrated the third edition of Africa Integration Day on July 7, 2022, in Lusaka, Zambia, with the theme “Deepening African Economic Integration in the Era of De-Globalization.”
African governments, the private sector, civil society, RECs, and AU partners came together to commemorate the 2022 African Integration Day and Forum with the overall goal of debating how to use regional and continental integration processes and initiatives to foster accelerated economic integration in Africa in order to support its recovery in the post-COVID era.
Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, stressed that integration is the very foundation of the African Union and was a key element in the founding of the Organization of Africa in the early 1960s.
She was speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat.
She emphasized some of the advancements made by AU member states in quickening integration despite the world’s doubts and concerns brought on by the COVID-19’s devastation and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, respectively.
H.E. Dr. Monique urged the private sector, civil society organizations, and all African governments to step up their efforts to give trade and economic integration in Africa a tangible meaning so that common Africans across the continent, even in the most remote areas, could reap significant benefits.
In welcoming attendees to the commemoration of the third edition of the Africa Integration Day, H.E. Amb. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, listed a few of the many challenges the continent faces.
“Deeper economic integration across the entire continent is key to Africa’s future in this new global climate.
Together, we are more powerful and resilient.
Working together as independent nations, we are weaker and more vulnerable, he claimed.
Amb. Muchanga urged a variety of parties to actively participate in the agenda for African economic integration, including African citizens, cross-border traders, schools, colleges, and universities, organized labor, the media, and others.
“The private sector is promoting the creation of an atmosphere that will enable us to achieve African integration and increase intra-African trade.
According to Dr. Amany Asfour, president of the Africa Business Council, “we need policies for a particular percentage of at least 40% of the Government Procurement to be given for our African Businesses, including SMEs, Women and Youth Owned Businesses.”
“We must invest in our own resources for industrialization and value addition, as well as invest in strengthening Capacity of our Human Resources, including Women and Youth,” she continued.
Mr. Patson Malisa, Deputy Presiding Officer of the AU’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), emphasized the significance of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), saying that it “remains a crucial building bloc to continental integration, and the AfCFTA in particular.”
In order to improve their preparation and advantage to participate in the AfCFTA, he continued, “the TFTA RECs Secretariats need to be strengthened (via Technical Assistance and Financial Support).”
Senior representatives from the AU’s member states, RECs, UN agencies and other development partners, African financial institutions, the commercial sector, academics, young people, women, and members of the diaspora attended the event as well.
African Integration Day information
The 7th of July was declared “the African Integration Day” by the African Union Heads of State and Government in 2019 to commemorate significant accomplishments made in the process of regional and continental integration and to also reflect on important lessons learned in order to address challenges that still remain.
The Abuja Treaty (1991) codifies Africa’s integration agenda, which has as its overarching goal the creation of an African Economic Community at the continental level in six stages.
These stages include the development of sectoral cooperation and regional free trade zones, a continental customs union, a common market, a monetary union, and ultimately an African Economic Community.
The AfCFTA, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and the Right of Establishment, along with industrialization, infrastructure development, and social integration, will be crucial to the consolidation of Africa’s economic integration.