Africa is more connected now than ever through commerce, yet politically and socially, it remains deeply fragmented. The dream of a united Africa is as old as the independence movements that swept across the continent. With questions of it ever becoming a reality beyond economic agreements. There’s an opportunity for Africa to reawaken to a political and cultural reality. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been heralded as a game-changer, but there are concerns that Africa’s unity is being reduced to trade corridors and financial gains. Whether it can transcend commerce to forge a true Pan-African identity.
The Roots of Pan-Africanism
Pan-Africanism has deep historical roots, originating in the intellectual ferment of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visionaries like W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, and later Kwame Nkrumah ignited a movement aimed at unifying Africans and their descendants worldwide. The first Pan-African Congress in 1900 laid the ideological foundation, while post-colonial Africa saw the rise of leaders who aspired to a continent free from external domination and self-sufficient in governance and economy.
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The formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 was a monumental step, driven by leaders like Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, and Julius Nyerere, who believed Africa’s salvation lay in unity. However, political differences, ideological rifts, and external influences hampered progress. By 2002, the OAU transformed into the African Union (AU), promising a more integrated approach to governance and economic prosperity.
AfCFTA and the Pursuit of Unity
In 2018, the AfCFTA was established, hailed as the largest trade bloc since the formation of the World Trade Organization. With a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion and a market of 1.3 billion people, the AfCFTA seeks to boost intra-African trade, which remains at a dismal 16%, compared to 60% in Europe and 40% in Asia. The agreement, fully ratified by 47 out of 54 signatory countries, aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods, bolster industrialisation, and create millions of jobs.
Yet, while AfCFTA is a financial beacon, critics argue that trade alone cannot foster true unity. The continent remains divided by over 1,500 languages, differing legal systems, and varying levels of infrastructure development. Africa’s physical disconnection, exemplified by weak transport networks and cumbersome border regulations, poses a challenge to the seamless flow of goods and people.
Political and Institutional Fragmentation
Political will remains Africa’s Achilles’ heel. While economic agreements are easier to negotiate, political integration faces staunch resistance. The AU has struggled to exert real influence in resolving conflicts such as the Tigray war in Ethiopia and the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel. Regional blocs like ECOWAS, SADC, and EAC often act independently, highlighting a deep-seated reluctance to cede national sovereignty to a supranational African government.
Despite the 2013 AU Agenda 2063, which envisions a politically united Africa, efforts toward a common passport, a single African currency, or a Pan-African military force remain elusive. Africa’s geopolitical alignments also play a role, with nations balancing interests between China, the U.S., Russia, and former colonial powers. This external dependence weakens Africa’s ability to speak with one voice on global platforms.
The Missing Link: Cultural and Social Unity
Beyond trade and politics, Pan-Africanism must address cultural and social unity. The African identity remains fractured, with many young Africans identifying more with Western or Arab influences than their own heritage. Nollywood, Afrobeats, and the renaissance of African fashion have sparked global interest, but cultural integration across the continent remains slow. A united Africa must invest in education reforms that prioritise African history, languages, and shared values to foster a sense of belonging beyond borders.
Migration policies also highlight contradictions in African unity. While European passports allow free movement across multiple countries, Africans still face visa restrictions between their own nations. For instance, a Nigerian needs a visa to enter 34 out of 54 African countries (African Development Bank, 2023). Until free movement is a reality, true Pan-Africanism remains an illusion.
The Road Ahead: A Blueprint for True African Unity
If Africa is to move beyond trade agreements and into the realm of full-scale unity, it must take deliberate steps. Strengthening regional cooperation beyond economic policies is crucial. Political stability must be prioritised through a robust African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) that actively mediates and prevents conflicts.
Investments in infrastructure must extend beyond ports and railways to digital connectivity and financial integration. The adoption of a single African digital currency could reduce reliance on Western financial systems and encourage intra-African trade. According to the AU, implementing a single currency could increase Africa’s trade volume by 50% within a decade (AU Economic Report, 2024).
Lastly, a cultural renaissance must be at the heart of Pan-Africanism. The AU should spearhead a continent-wide education initiative that makes African history and languages compulsory subjects in schools. This would create a generation that sees itself first as African before national affiliations.
The road to a truly united Africa is long and winding, fraught with political, economic, and social hurdles. However, the foundations of Pan-Africanism remain alive, albeit in need of revival beyond boardroom discussions. Trade agreements like AfCFTA are only the beginning; they must be accompanied by political commitment, cultural unification, and a shift in mindset among African citizens.
Can Africa unite beyond trade agreements? The answer lies not in economic figures alone but in the collective will of its people and leaders to transcend colonial legacies and redefine what it means to be African. The continent stands at a crossroads; whether it chooses integration or fragmentation will determine its place in global affairs in the decades to come.
