AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Some university dons have asserted that for Africa to reach its full potentials on sustainable development, the continent’s agenda must be refocused and re-prioritised through effective collaboration in core areas of needs.
The eggheads spoke recently at the event that commemorated the 2023 Africa Union Day organized by the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (Health and Agriculture), University of Ibadan.
Oyo Reporters reports that the theme of this year’s Africa Union Day is Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation.’
The event organized by PAULESI highlighted some of the limiting barriers that undermine the progress of Africa vis-a-vis the Agenda 2063 set by the African Union’s master plan for transforming the continent into future global powerhouse.
One of the panelists, Prof. E.O. Ogunkola, from the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, said that while strategies had been mapped out for the growth and development of Africa, implementation was critical.
Citing trade barrier as a major factor undermining the advancement of the continent, Ogunkola said that “We require investment not only at private level but also at public level. You cannot make meaningful progress when you operate a generator economy. Investment is tied to infrastructure. It is quite important to note that there are so many challenges besetting Africa’s progress.
“One of these is trade barrier. Services are key. If you remove tariff on trade products but do not address the issue of services, you cannot achieve much progress. Currently, we give strength to the Dollar and that increases cost of transaction. Today, Naira is about N900 to a Dollar. Because we know how to import more than export, we cry foul when our currencies plunge against the Dollar. As investors, we should export more.”
He suggested that if the Africa Free Trade Zone is activated, products that would be traded should be those that are fully manufactured in Africa. He urged PAULESI students and other African youths to take up the challenge by contributing their quota to its development in their different locations and specialties.
He warned that the fact that we are promoting inter Africa trade does not mean that we should compromise quality. He said, for instance, that “We should not jeopardize our health because we want to trade with one another. Rome was not built in a day, we have to take the steps one after the other.”
Prof. VO Edo from the Department of History, UI, talked about the journey so far and the intentions of leaders. After the OAU succeeded in eradicating apartheid in the continent, Edo said the issue of Africa Trade Zone came to the fore to create a single liberalized trade area. “Part of the objective is to reduce barriers (capital and labour). More importantly, it is to address socio economic challenges and to lift Africa from poverty through proper management.
“One of the problems in Africa is that even though we have good ideas, implementation is the problem. African leaders generally should face the challenges and not leave it to Nigeria and South Africa. The integration of Africa must be addressed by all African countries if there would be light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Dr Ikmat Junaid of the Institute of Education, lamenting that as Africans, we have always been selling ourselves, advised that the people of Africa should share knowledge and ideas and exchange products instead of going to the United Arab Emirates to buy things.
“Africa is the power house but how do we annex the resources? At different forums, there had been discussions about poverty reduction in Africa. When our women and youths are employed, of course, there would be reduction in poverty. But, the question is how do we change our mindset? It starts from you and I. I am suggesting that free trade should be zoned by making it regional.
“If we start at regional level, we can consequently come together as a whole. How many of us have all African materials worn here? Africans prefer to go to Dubai, US and China to buy lower quality products instead of buying locally. If the batik that you are wearing is embraced at the African trade zone, there would be bigger market. African goods should exchange hands at a bigger level.
There could be a unifying currency so that we would not be giving ourselves out to the US dollar, thereby giving our profits to the West. They gain more from us than we gain from them. This is long overdue, but I am suggesting that it should be regional. Develop your skills, package and brand your products well. If you do it well, your business would be built and the economy of your country would be developed. Implementation strategy is key.”
A Researcher with PAULESI, Dr D Adediji, said, “One thing that I will like to emphasize is that we have to take a good initiative. When God was to divide humanity, he divided our language. We have to break down every wall that would debar us from engaging in free trade. We need to break down inter country barriers that would not make us interact.
“As youth, you can begin to effect the change at your own level. The Bible says that the glory of the youth is their strength. Don’t be lethargic. Be ready to asked question and be ready to push for a change.”
Earlier, the Deputy Director, PAULESI, Prof. Michael Oladunjoye, in an address on the Africa Day 2023 delivered by Mrs Vivian Alasoadura, Secretary of the institute, spoke about the focus of the AU on leapfrogging Africa to an enviable height.
Oladunjoye said, “Today, the African Union Day, marks the annual celebration of some landmark achievements of the Union on various issues such as peace and security, continental integration, women and youth empowerment, eradication of diseases, amongst others. This day, September 9, is also an opportunity to evaluate the continent’s challenges, the achievements of the Union, the progress made, and probable solutions to these challenges.
“The celebration of the AU Day provides an occasion to promote the African Union and its activities all over the African continent and in the world. The African Union has chosen ‘Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation’ as its theme for 2023, aimed at creating a single market for goods and services of almost 1.3 billion people across Africa and deepening the economic integration of the continent.
“Trade integration across Africa has long been restricted from reaching its full potential by outdated infrastructure and conflicting regulations across dozens of markets but when fully implemented, the AfCFTA will be the world’s biggest largest free trade area, with a combined gross domestic product of an approximate $3.4 trillion.
“The AfCFTA is estimated to lead to job creation, poverty alleviation, improved welfare and sustainable development, and in addition also, to ensure inclusivity for women and youth, development of small and medium enterprises and overall industrialisation of the continent. This is guided by Agenda 2063, the AU’s master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future as there is a need to refocus and re-prioritise Africa’s agenda.
“It is in agreement with this that the AU has stated: The theme of the year and its mandate to support the implementation of the AFCFTA agreement will aim to be celebrated through close collaboration with all relevant organs and specialized agencies of the African Union, regional mechanisms and Regional Economic Communities, in line with their respective mandates to fast track the implementation of the AfCFTA for the benefit of Africa’s population
“With this in mind, it is our collective duty as Africans both in Africa and also in Diaspora, to join in this effort to build the Africa we want which is by the continuous aspiration to ensure that we rise above the challenges we face individually and as a continent through critical thinking with excellence as our goal.”
The African Union was established on 9th July, 2002 in Durban, South Africa, a successor to the Organization of African Unity, where certain African leaders were motivated by the urge to unify the 55 member states and accelerate the process of continental integration with the view to enable Africa to play its rightful role in the global economy, while addressing the multifaceted social, economic and political problems within the continent.
The highpoint of the event was the Mr and Miss PAULESI contest which saw Mahamadou Nourou Abdou Zakari PAU-UI-0843 Niger, a PhD student of Reproductive Health; and Obima-Ave-Ampi Jusleine, an MSc student of Environmental Management, respectively as winners.
