Make Continental Collaboration a Reality

Africa is richly endowed with natural resources both above and below the ground, and it boasts the youngest and fastest-growing population in the world.

This is not merely a cliché; it is a fact.

Many view Africa as the continent of the future – a perspective that far too many of its leaders still seem to overlook.

Regional integration, cross-continental partnerships and policy alignment present key opportunities to accelerate economic growth across African nations.

Several decades ago, these factors were recognised as key drivers of economic growth, leading to the establishment of the African Union and regional economic blocs such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

While initiatives such as SADC and the creation of other economic blocs have brought positive developments, significant challenges persist.

Chief among these is the slow pace of infrastructural upgrades and integrations – water, electricity, information and communication technology connectivity, roads and rail networks – and restrictions on the movement of people and capital.

For importers and exporters, moving goods across Africa remains a major challenge, and reaching many countries to pursue trade or investment opportunities often requires flying through a European city or traversing the continent for days.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement establishes a framework for creating a unified market across Africa, enabling the free movement of goods, services, people and capital.

Both Namibia and Cape Verde are signatories and participants in the AfCFTA.

Out of the 55 African countries, 54 have signed the agreement.

With this laudable continent-wide free movement of goods, services, people and capital objectives in mind, it is perplexing that Cape Verde deemed it necessary to impose a visa requirement on Namibian nationals travelling to its territory.

Adding to the bureaucratic development, Namibians transiting through the country are now also required to obtain a transit visa prior to travel.

Trade and investment between Namibia and Cape Verde remain minimal.

Logically, relaxing entry requirements could be an effective way to foster economic engagement and growth. However, the authorities of Cape Verde appear to hold a different view.

The challenges extend beyond the movement of people and are not limited to the recent visa requirement between Namibia and Cape Verde.

Numerous reports indicate that companies attempting to establish trade links often struggle to source or sell goods and deliver services competitively.

These challenges are closely linked to high business costs, complex regulations and excessive bureaucratic procedures.

This has led many to question whether AfCFTA can truly deliver on what was once considered a highly promising economic development strategy.

Global trade, investment flows, reliance on development aid and access to such support have undergone significant changes – and this transformation continues to accelerate.

There is no question about it.

African countries that fail to adapt and leverage their competitive advantages risk being left behind amid the complexity and rapid pace of global economic change.

Africa, as a continent, holds vast potential to make a far greater contribution to the global economy than it does today.

However, achieving this requires abandoning the silo mentality that continues to hinder progress.

– Danny Meyer is reachable at danny@smecompete.com

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.