Africa Prosperity Network and Ethiopian Airlines Join Forces to Advance ‘Make Africa Borderless Now!’ Initiative

Introduction

In a significant development for Africa’s economic integration, the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and Ethiopian Airlines have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the “Make Africa Borderless Now!” campaign. This collaboration marks a crucial step toward realizing the continent’s vision of seamless movement, trade, and economic cooperation among African nations.

Key Points

Background

The “Make Africa Borderless Now!” campaign represents a bold initiative to transform Africa’s economic landscape by removing barriers to movement and trade. Launched in Accra earlier this month, the campaign addresses longstanding challenges that have hindered Africa’s economic potential, particularly the paradox of Africans facing more restrictions traveling within their continent than traveling abroad.

The campaign builds upon existing frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Free Movement of Persons Protocol, and the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM). Despite these agreements being adopted in 2018, implementation has been slow, with only four countries having signed the Free Movement Protocol—far short of the fifteen needed for it to take effect.

Analysis

The partnership between APN and Ethiopian Airlines brings together two powerful forces: a pan-African advocacy network and the continent’s largest airline. This collaboration is particularly strategic because air transport serves as a critical enabler of economic integration, facilitating not just passenger movement but also cargo transport and business connections.

Ethiopian Airlines’ Group CEO, Mesfin, acknowledged that visa restrictions remain a significant barrier to travel across Africa. However, he emphasized that security concerns, often cited as justification for visa requirements, can be addressed through alternative means such as advanced biometric identification systems. This perspective aligns with successful models like ECOWAS, which operates a biometric passport system enabling member states to track movement while maintaining visa-free travel within the bloc.

The campaign’s goal of gathering 10 million signatures demonstrates a commitment to grassroots mobilization, recognizing that meaningful policy change requires public pressure and widespread support. This approach acknowledges that integration is not just about government agreements but about creating a continental identity and shared economic destiny.

Practical Advice

For individuals and businesses interested in supporting this initiative, several practical steps can be taken:

1. **Sign the petition**: Support the campaign’s goal of 10 million signatures by adding your voice to the movement for visa-free Africa.

2. **Engage with policymakers**: Contact your local representatives to express support for the Free Movement Protocol and other integration measures.

3. **Utilize existing opportunities**: Take advantage of current visa-free arrangements and regional economic communities to build cross-border business relationships.

4. **Support African businesses**: Prioritize intra-African trade and commerce to strengthen the economic case for integration.

5. **Stay informed**: Follow developments in the AfCFTA implementation and other integration initiatives to understand how they affect your mobility and business opportunities.

FAQ

Conclusion

The partnership between the Africa Prosperity Network and Ethiopian Airlines represents a significant milestone in Africa’s journey toward economic integration. By combining advocacy with practical implementation through Africa’s largest airline, this collaboration has the potential to transform how Africans move, trade, and do business across the continent.

The campaign’s focus on addressing both the symptoms (visa restrictions) and root causes (lack of implementation of existing protocols) demonstrates a comprehensive approach to integration. The emphasis on security through technology rather than restriction, the push for mobile money interoperability, and the mobilization of public support through signature campaigns all point to a multi-faceted strategy for change.

As stakeholders continue to push for the translation of Africa’s integration ambitions into practical outcomes, this partnership signals growing momentum behind the vision of a truly borderless Africa. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this initiative can overcome the implementation challenges that have plagued previous integration efforts and deliver tangible benefits to African citizens and businesses.