AU urges renewed commitment to Africa’s integration agenda on Africa Integration Day

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called on African leaders and citizens to renew their commitment towards achieving deeper continental integration amid growing global economic uncertainties.

He said stronger cooperation among African countries remains critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential and improving opportunities for citizens.

The call was made on the commemoration of Africa Integration Day on Tuesday, July 7, an annual commemoration of the launch of the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Niamey, Niger, in 2019.

The AU Commission Chairperson said Africa’s unity and integration must be treated as a strategic priority in the face of increasing global fragmentation.

"African unity is our greatest strategic asset. The AfCFTA is the defining economic project of our generation and our best opportunity to transform Africa’s immense potential into prosperity for all Africans," he said in a statement.

H.E. Youssouf noted that the AfCFTA brings together 55 African countries, a population of more than 1.3 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about US$3.4 trillion.

However, he expressed concern that intra-African trade remains low, accounting for only about 16 to 18 per cent of the continent’s total trade, stressing that Africa’s greatest economic opportunity lies within the continent itself.

He urged member states to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA and other integration initiatives by removing trade barriers, harmonising regulations and investing in infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, energy systems and digital connectivity.

According to him, such investments are necessary to support regional value chains, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth across Africa.

The AU Commission Chairperson also highlighted the importance of free movement of people, saying easier mobility for entrepreneurs, traders, professionals, students and workers would strengthen trade, investment and people-to-people connections.

He further stressed that Africa’s integration efforts must create meaningful opportunities for young people, women, farmers and small businesses, while noting that peace, security, good governance and the role of Regional Economic Communities remain essential to achieving continental unity.

"History will judge this generation not by the vision it inherited, but by the Africa it succeeds in building together. Let us move forward with unity, determination and confidence towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent," he said.