APD 2026: AfCFTA Chief Highlights Pathways to Integration and a Borderless Africa

In a press briefing following strategic meetings on the fourth day of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene, addressed key pillars of continental integration: free movement and financial convergence.

Mr Mene emphasised the importance of free movement of persons across Africa. He noted that while the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons exists, it has so far been ratified by only four out of 55 member states. He commended countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya for taking unilateral steps to improve visa openness across the continent.

Touching on the long-term ambition of a common African currency, Mr Mene acknowledged that whilst it remains a key vision, it will require significant foundational work, particularly in achieving macroeconomic convergence among African economies.

However, he suggested that Africa could explore innovative pathways through digital instruments and emerging financial technologies that may advance the continent towards the same objective without requiring immediate macroeconomic alignment.

This is in line with the recently launched “Make Africa Borderless Now!” movement, which, among its twelve priority action points, advocates for interoperable digital payments systems that do not require changing an African currency into the dollar before trading with another African country.

“In the advancements of the digital economy, there are other instruments that we can look at which can enable us to move much faster,” he said, referencing the potential of digital currencies and broader innovations in financial systems.

Ghana and Gabon Commit to Borderless Africa Vision

The Vice-President of Gabon, H.E. Barro Chambier Alexandre, assured the APN Secretariat of his government’s full support for the ‘Make Africa Borderless Now!’ Movement. The campaign, which was launched at APD 2026 and seeks to gather 10 million signatures in support of visa-free travel across the continent, is accompanied by twelve priority action points mostly comprising already existing protocols and treaties.

Later, the Gabonese Vice-President, accompanied by APN’s Executive Chairman and board members, paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Minister Ablakwa expressed the Ghanaian government’s full support for the borderless campaign, noting Ghana’s active pursuit of visa-free travel bilateral agreements. He revealed that the government had just concluded an agreement with Zambia earlier in the week.

The Minister also discussed the possibility of a visa-free bilateral agreement between Ghana and Gabon, signalling both countries’ commitment to facilitating easier movement for their citizens.

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