I.A.M - Magazine - Page 11
LEADERS CORNER
Steeped in our Pan-African history
AFRICA MUST
INTEGRATE
It is an undeniable fact that over the years, post-independent Africa’s demographic and economic
W
ith a young, dynamic, and driven
population, vast natural resources, and
the promising opportunities of the
AfCFTA, Africa is well-poised to
become a global economic powerhouse.
Projections indicate that an effectively implemented
AfCFTA will be a gamechanger for Africa’s people,
contributing significantly to achieving the continents
development ambitions.
Yet, harvesting this potential is not automatic. Many
hurdles stand in the way of Africa’s economic progress
– a key one being the slow pace of regional integration.
The pursuit of regional integration is not new to Africa.
In fact, the African Development Bank was established
sixty years ago to drive and accelerate regional
integration. Additionally, the advantages of an
integrated Africa are not new topics. The ideals of the
Organisation of African Unity (OAU) established in 1963,
which evolved into the African Union (AU) in 2002, was
anchored on the virtues of both political and economic
integration through unity, solidarity, and cooperation
among African states. In the Sirte Declaration that
established its successor – the AU, attaining regional
integration was prioritized as a cornerstone, but is also
now enshrined in the AU’s development blueprint:
‘Agenda 2063, The Africa We Want’.
By Nnenna Nwabufo
Vice President
Regional Development, Integration and
Business Delivery (AfDB Group)
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