Regional and Continental Integration The process is Accelerating
Senegal launches an inter-regional bus line; and Rwanda announces the abolition of visas for nationals of the African Union; Nigeria is similarly implemented the new visa procedures; the trans-Maghreb train project is coming out of the box with the call for donors launched by the UMA … Not to mention the entry into force of the ZLECA. Unquestionably, regional and continental integration is accelerating. And it is the private sectors and civil society organizations that are leading this process. Which gives pan-Africanist dreams new impetus. Analysis.
By Dounia Ben Mohamed, in Kigali
On February 9 and 10, the Ethiopian capital will host the 33rd Summit of the African Union. On the main list, in addition to the official theme, namely « Silencing the firearms: guaranteeing conducive conditions to the development of Africa », the institutional reform of the African Union (AU); security with the rise of terrorism in the Sahel; and, last but not least, the acceleration of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECA).
A market of over 1.2 billion people, the largest market in the world
ZLECA was adopted in Kigali on March 21, 2018, and it was launched during the last AU Summit, which took place in July 2019 in Niamey in Niger. ZLECA, with 54 African States signatories (only Eritrea did not sign), will only come into full force with the launch of tariff dismantling on July 1, 2020. Until then, everyone is preparing to seize the opportunities that this market of over 1.2 billion people will offer, that is, the largest market in the world, with a GDP of 2,500 billion US dollars, which should be translated into action, according to projections of the African Union, by an increase of more than 60% of the level of intra-African trade by 2022. This led to strengthen the resilience of African economies to external shocks (fluctuation of commodity prices on world markets, global economic conditions, sudden changes in exchange rates …). Moreover, this common market should lead to an increase in the growth of countries, including those of the most fragile; increasing the competitiveness of continental economic operators while promoting the emergence of new African champions, and ultimately having a real impact on the standard of living of African populations.
« Even if it takes time, the economic integration of Africa is on the right track, in particular thanks to African companies and multinationals who see their future in a more united continent »
However, if Zleca is primarily driven by economic interests, it leads in its uprising a whole bunch of measures in favor of continental integration. Seeking a new « unity » according to the wishful thinking of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism. A movement driven by a new leadership at work on the continent and resolutely pan-African but also, and above all, driven by the private sector and civil society organizations.
Therefore, while Senegal is launching an inter-regional bus line which links it to Gambia; the gradual development of an African single market for air transport is announced; Rwanda announces the abolition of visas for African Union nationality; Nigeria is following by implementing the entry of visa new procedure; the project of the trans-Maghreb train comes out of the box with the call for donors launched by Maghreb Union (UMA) as well as the recent organization, by the Economic Commission for Africa and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) of a regional seminar on « The potential impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area on the Maghreb economies », thus reviving the dream of a Maghreb-United Kingdom,… Unquestionably, the process of the regional and continental integration, long blocked by political differences, is accelerating and confirming.
This was the conclusion of the report « For a united Africa: the key role of African companies across the continent » produced by the Boston Consulting Group. « Even if it takes time, African economic integration is on the right path, especially due to African companies and multinationals who see their future in a more united continent.
African businesses, led by African entrepreneurs, overcome many barriers – both in terms of infrastructure and distance – in order to advance the economic integration of the continent, observed the rapporteurs. Which also point to the proliferation of « signs of economic integration every month, quarter and passing year. The first incentives come from within the continent: Africa invests more in Africa, Africa trades more with Africa and Africans travel more in Africa. An observation confirmed by tangible figures: that are still weak, intra-African trade has nevertheless gone from 11% to 20% over the last decade.
« The total unification of the African economy on a continental scale is the only way for African states to reach a level resembling that of industrialized countries. «
“Fifty-four countries cannot each have sustainable development. It is therefore necessary to build regional solutions, which means that they should take continental strategies and give them a regional dimension, « urged Ibrahim Mayaki, Executive Secretary of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). « The future of Africa is in regional integration, » said Victor Harison, Commissioner for Economic Affairs of the African Union Commission (AU). Sentences reminiscent of those of Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of Pan-Africanism: « The total unification of the African economy on a continental scale is the only way for African States to reach a level that resembles that of countries industrialized.
Similarly, an Africa that speaks with one voice is better able to renegotiate contracts, in its favor, whether they are those that bind it to the European Union (EPA) or to the ‘World Trade Organization (WTO).
Thus, economic integration appears as a major step towards « unity », in other words greater cooperation, complementarity and solidarity between African countries. In fact, whether it concerns security, and in particular the terrorist threat or cyber piracy; of the deficit in terms of energy, infrastructure, etc. Common challenges that African countries have to face, but that none of them is able to meet it alone. A feeling now shared. Including by the populations.
The growing anti-French protests and resentment in the Sahel confirm the thirst for independence and pan-Africanism expressed by African youth. A thirst that the heads of state in power can no longer bear, failing to leave, already more than fertile, for extremists of all kinds. Especially since the Libyan imbroglio recalls the inability of African countries not only to face the situation, but to make their voices heard on the subject of a conflict that is settled in Paris, Berlin and now Tehran.
“The time is no longer for ideologies, but for pragmatism. This is the economy that prevails! «
There are still shadows in this glimmer of hope, which are only political: at a time when borders are closing – between Nigeria and Benin_; Morocco’s decision to extend its sovereignty over the waters of Western Sahara rekindles tensions with its Algerian neighbor and jeopardizes the fragile attempts to relaunch the Union of the United Maghreb, a real brake on continental integration.
Africa of the North has an integration rate of only 3% while these countries have a significant weight in the GDP of the continent, while the organization, which has not held a single summit since 1994, is paralyzed by the Algerian-Moroccan conflict around Western Sahara; leadership wars within CEDEAO; procrastination within Cemac; the supremacy of South Africa over the Southern African Development Community; one can only deplore the fact that it is indeed the political that hinders the development of regional and therefore continental integration.
“The time is no longer for ideologies, but for pragmatism. This is the economy that prevails, said the economist Carlos Lopes in a previous interview with us. « We cannot achieve the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 without radically transforming the institution. This is not an easy task. Because there is a lot of resistance. But I think at the same time, there is an awareness. »
« If the 20th century has been that of Independence, the 21st century must be that of the unification of Africa »
« This is the time for the people, and above all the youth, » assures Samia Nkrumah, daughter of the founder and president of the Pan-African Kwame-Nkrumah Center. How can we raise the standard of living of every African if we do not use the products of our neighbors? We have valuable products on the continent, but we prefer to trade abroad. Can you imagine if we exchanged with our neighbors, between us, the sky’s the limit for us. This unity is for the people, it is not for a few of them. It is for the majority of Africans. So, once people are aware of the interests of unity, if they understand that this is the only way to use our resources, I think they will support it. They will then put pressure on their leaders to do what is necessary. I think the time has come. »
News gave solid arguments. While the same anger and the thirst for change are expressed, 2020, a year which must witness twenty major elections, some of which are announced under high tension (Togo, Guinea, Ivory Coast …); the inability to agree on major regional projects (Inga, Gerd, etc.) recall the urgency of setting up an organization bringing together « the wise men » of the continent and representing the private sector and civil society. Some will say that it exists, the African Union, which was founded specifically to ensure the independence of young African nations, solidarity between countries, and the pacification of the continent. After years of shimmering, it will have to prove itself. Today more than ever as Zleca brought the dream of African unity to life. « If the 20th century has been that of Independence, the 21st century must be that of the unification of Africa, » urges Samia Nkrumah. We owe it to our fathers and our children.