At the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, discussions centered around the benefits of visa-free movement in reducing illegal migration and enhancing official travel. However, challenges to Africa’s economic integration still persist.
The dialogue was organized by the African Development Bank (ADB) Group and the African Union Commission (AUC). It brought together trade ministers and business leaders who highlighted Rwanda’s example of how open borders can improve security, without compromising it. However, the summit did not address Rwanda’s involvement in cross-border insurgency in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly its support of the M23 rebel group.
Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for regional development, integration, and business delivery of the ADB, emphasized that the discussions aimed to unlock Africa’s potential and create prosperity. “Our new Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) focuses on seizing Africa’s opportunities for a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and integrated continent,” she said.
Albert Muchanga, the AU Commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, industry, and minerals, delivered the keynote address, highlighting four key areas for further integration:
Liberalizing the movement of people, which is crucial for trade in goods and services.
Implementing the Strategic Framework on Key Actions to Achieve Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa.
Advancing the African economic integration, particularly through the African Common Market, as outlined in the 1991 Abuja Treaty.
Establishing infrastructure measures, both soft and hard, to support the free movement of people.
Muchanga stressed the need for more progress on major continental projects, such as the trans-African highways (Cairo to Cape and Dakar to Mombasa), to improve the movement of people across the continent.
