Dr. Olumuyiwa Alaba, Lead, Trade Thematic Group, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), has called for the establishment and strengthening of relevant institutions to foster the development of Agenda for Africa and to achieve a borderless Africa.
Dr. Alaba also stressed that dismantling the borders that exist within Africa could solve the contradictions and loss of identity bedeviling the Continent today.
Dr. Alaba made the appeal while speaking at a summit tagged “Borderless Africa: Implications, Benefits and Next Steps” organized by the Christian Initiative for Nation Building (CINB) in commemoration of Africa Liberation Day 2023.
He reiterated the need for African governments to commit to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, former High Commissioner of Nigeria to Australia emphasized that the concept of borderless Africa is essential as it would help to drive development and improve the economy of Africa.
Ambassador Olukanni said “Borderless Africa is the way to go. We should be focused on the AU Agenda 2063 because it is a roadmap that can help to advance the Continent.”
He also noted that “strengthening regional economic committees is important towards achieving borderless Africa.”
Dr. Blessing Irabor-Oza, President, Organization of Women in International Trade Nigeria, explained that borderless Africa will help address some of the challenges that women face in the course of their work across the continent.
Dr. Irabor-Oza stressed that “there is a gender dimension to borderless Africa and a borderless Africa will benefit women and society at large.”
Hardi Yakubu, Movement Coordinator, Africans Rising, a Pan-African movement that aims to mobilize people for unity, justice, peace, and dignity for all Africans, explained that free movement within the continent is critical.
Yakubu said the goal of the campaign for a borderless Africa is to “achieve an Africa where Africans can move around their own continent without the current restrictions in place for better trade, integration and development.”
Yakubu mentioned that “with the restriction to movement within the continent, we are only reinforcing the restrictions that have been placed on us by the colonial.
“It is time for us to exercise our freedom and break the limitations that have been set for us,” he added.
Earlier while giving his opening remark, Dr. Adeniyi Oginni, the President of CINB said the programme was organized to discuss and strategize for ‘Borderless Africa’, as seen in other regions such as Schengen and the EEA region.
He appealed to all stakeholders to take the necessary steps to ensure the concept of Borderless Africa becomes a reality.