Zambian journalist Lillian Chipeso is urging African nations to create a “borderless continent.” She made this call after noting the significant potential for increased trade and economic cooperation among African countries. Chipeso believes Africans share deep cultural similarities. Prioritising collaboration can bring substantial benefits.
Chipeso observed that countries like Ghana spend millions of Ghana cedis on importing goods. Ghana is reported to spend GHS millions importing chicken from outside the continent. She suggested that countries such as Zambia could supply this demand. This highlights missed opportunities for intra-African trade. Stronger economic partnerships could unlock such potential.
This call for a borderless Africa resonates with broader discussions on regional integration. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to boost intra-Africa trade. However, progress faces challenges related to divergent national policies and infrastructure gaps. Data from the UN Conference on Trade and Development shows intra-African trade has hovered around 15% of total African trade in recent years. This figure lags significantly behind trade within other continents like Europe and Asia.
In an interview on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, Chipeso stated, “Africa continent should be borderless, we are one people.” She explained that the similarities in food and lifestyle underscore a shared identity. She believes this shared heritage should translate into fewer barriers between nations. "We should be working towards empowering each other, strengthening our bilateral relations and working together," she added.
Increased dialogue on trade and cooperation could unlock significant opportunities. These lie in agriculture, tourism, and cross-border business ventures. Such cooperation could improve economic development across Africa. Decision-makers and businesses will watch closely how these advocacy efforts translate into tangible policy changes and increased trade volumes. The potential economic gains are substantial.