The President of Harakatiza Muungano (Union Movement), a Pan-African non-profit organization dedicated to African unity, regional economic integration, Mr. Kwame Danquah, has called for deeper political and economic integration across Sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that the continent must dismantle longstanding barriers to trade and cooperation to achieve sustainable economic transformation.
Addressing the Harakatiza Muungano Conference in Accra, Mr. Danquah said Africa’s future prosperity would depend on bold structural reforms, industrialisation and stronger regional cooperation capable of unlocking the continent’s vast economic and human potential.
He said the conference sought to reaffirm the commitment of Africans to advancing regional unity and reforms that would benefit both present and future generations. According to him, Harakatiza Muungano is committed to promoting African unity by eliminating colonial-era divisions, facilitating the free movement of people and goods and strengthening political and economic cooperation among African states.
Mr. Danquah argued that greater regional integration would make African economies more resilient against global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and external market disruptions.
Citing the World Bank’s 2023 estimates, he noted that although Africa’s combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at about US$3 trillion, the continent accounts for only a small fraction of the global economy and contributes just three per cent of world trade.
He further observed that African Union data shows intra-African trade represents only about 15 per cent of the continent’s total trade, compared with approximately 60 per cent in Europe and 40 per cent in Asia.
Mr. Danquah attributed much of Africa’s economic vulnerability to its continued dependence on exporting raw commodities and its heavy reliance on markets outside the continent.
He warned that unless African governments pursue far-reaching structural reforms and accelerate industrialisation, the continent would remain susceptible to external economic shocks and protectionist trade policies.
Touching on Africa’s demographic outlook, he said the continent’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for a significant share of that growth. He added that more than 60 per cent of Africa’s population is under the age of 30.
He described the continent’s youthful population as one of its greatest strategic assets, provided governments invest adequately in education, skills development, technology and industrialisation.
Failure to harness this demographic advantage, he cautioned, could worsen unemployment, poverty and social instability.
He, therefore, urged African governments to prioritise investments in education, innovation, digital technology and infrastructure to prepare young people for emerging industries and drive long-term economic growth.
Mr. Danquah maintained that stronger regional integration would create a larger skilled labour force, expand markets for businesses, stimulate industrial production and generate sustainable employment opportunities across Africa.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of young Africans risking dangerous migration routes in search of economic opportunities abroad, he described the trend as evidence of the urgent need to transform African economies.
“It is time to transform African economies through integration and meaningful reforms,” he stressed. Highlighting the difficulties businesses face when operating across the continent, Mr. Danquah cited the experience of Nigerian industrialist, Aliko Dangote, who, he said, must navigate multiple visa regimes, different currencies and fragmented communication systems while conducting business across African countries.
To strengthen social protection and mobilise long-term development finance, he proposed the establishment of an integrated African Social Security Penta-Fund.
He explained that the proposed framework would comprise five pillars: a mortgage finance scheme, medical insurance fund, education trust fund, social savings and investment scheme, and a provident and pensions fund serving both formal and informal sector workers.
According to him, the initiative would provide sustainable financing for social protection while generating investment capital for infrastructure, industrialisation and other strategic development programmes.
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