Between October 3-9, 2024, the African Union’s Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) hosted a series of pivotal webinars that explored the intersection of the AU’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Free Movement Protocol (FMP).
The series underscored the importance of inclusive mobility and trade policies as a means of achieving sustainable development, emphasizing the empowerment of women and youth—groups often excluded from cross-border trade opportunities. The webinars provided a platform for civil society organizations (CSOs), policymakers, and youth representatives to engage in meaningful dialogue on how to bridge gaps in the implementation of the AfCFTA and FMP.
Key Themes: AfCFTA and Free Movement Protocol Synergy
Opening the discussions, Mr. Kyeretwie Osei, ECOSOCC’s Head of Programmes, emphasized the necessity of integrating the AfCFTA and the Free Movement Protocol to create an economically borderless Africa. He reiterated that the success of the AfCFTA relies heavily on the seamless and regulated movement of people across borders, encouraging women and youth to play a central role in these developments.
Dr. Oluwafemi Solomon, Programme Coordinator on Free Movement of Persons within the AU’s Humanitarian Division, provided an update on the status of the Free Movement Protocol. While 32 AU Member States have signed the Protocol, only 4 have ratified it. Dr. Solomon highlighted the need for greater political will, noting the creation of an AU model that maps the synergy between the AfCFTA and FMP to drive Africa’s growth.
Ms. Akena Achieng, Executive Director, International Refugee Rights Initiatives (IRRI), underscored the strategic necessity of free movement for Africa’s development. She stressed that all the necessary documents and blueprints for free movement and trade already exist, and it is now a matter of political will to actualize them.
Empowering Women and Youth: Central to Africa’s Development
Several speakers throughout the webinars focused on the inclusion of women and youth in the AfCFTA and FMP. Ms. Yavi Madurai, Executive Director, Pan African Business Women’s Association (PABWA), discussed the AfCFTA’s Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, which aims to enhance their access to trade opportunities and break down barriers. This directly aligns with Agenda 2063’s Aspiration 6, prioritizing the empowerment of these groups for sustainable development.
Ms. Mariam Naluwooza, Chairperson of the Women Cross-Border Traders Cooperative, outlined the challenges women face in cross-border trade, including regulatory barriers and limited legal protection. She further suggested translating key policy documents into local languages to improve grassroots understanding and engagement with trade policies.
Similarly, Ms. Ruth Kangwa, a human rights lawyer, called for inclusive mobility policies that address the specific challenges women and youth face, especially in the informal trade sector.
Ms. Nicea Gumbo of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) addressed regulatory barriers that hinder women’s involvement in cross-border trade, underscoring the importance of policy changes that could simplify and encourage their participation.
Youth empowerment was also a central theme. Ms. Katlego Nawa, a researcher on AfCFTA, stressed the importance of building partnerships for youth development to prepare the next generation of African leaders.
Ms. Anele Simon, from the Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council, emphasized that the AU’s Agenda 2063 is for the young generation, encouraging a long-term investment in their development. She highlighted that Africa has ample resources to nurture its youth—who will play a vital role in overseeing the continent’s prosperity.
Ms. Linda Chepkwony, a youth expert, emphasized the potential of technology and creative industries to provide broader opportunities for youth outside of traditional sectors.
Challenges and Solutions
Participants discussed the need for a robust advocacy campaign to encourage more AU Member States to ratify the Free Movement Protocol. Mr. Brian Chigawa, former Migration Advisor at COMESA, noted that misconceptions about the Protocol must be addressed, urging CSOs to take a lead role in fostering dialogue between policymakers and citizens.
Dr. Nancy Adossi of the AU’s Free Movement Protocol Unit reinforced the interdependence of trade, mobility, and policy, arguing that progress in one area is contingent on the advancement of the others.
Other participants stressed the importance of monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress on both the AfCFTA and the Free Movement Protocol, ensuring that women and youth remain at the forefront of Africa’s integration efforts.
Next Steps
ECOSOCC’s Head of Secretariat, William Carew, closed the sessions by reiterating the critical role that women, youth, and civil society play in the success of the AfCFTA and FMP.
“The future of Africa’s economic integration depends on the full ratification and implementation of the Free Movement Protocol,” he said. “We must work together to ensure that all Africans, particularly women and youth, can benefit from the opportunities created by these frameworks.”
The webinars, held in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, aligned with ECOSOCC’s mandate and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, highlighting the critical roles of women and youth in advancing Africa’s economic integration.
The webinars concluded with a strong call to action: for Africa’s economic integration to succeed, efforts must be made to empower all citizens to participate fully in trade and mobility.
