Thomas Ofem retweetledi
I am following the discourse on Africa and its unification. Some of our Black South African brothers and sisters seem most opposed to it. I call them my brothers and sisters because that is who they are. It appears that because white settlers developed much of the country’s modern economy, making it stronger than most on the continent, there is a reluctance to share that advantage. There is a fear that foreigners would flock there in search of better opportunities. Others argue that unification should only occur once African economies are equal, an impractical and historically unfounded proposition. Migration has always been a constant feature of human society. If Limpopo is poorer, people will naturally move to the Western Cape in search of opportunity. Yet if colonial borders had placed Limpopo within Botswana, Zimbabwe, or Mozambique, those same people would suddenly be deemed foreigners and unwelcome. That contradiction exposes the absurdity of the argument! Of course the idea is also opposed by Africans from other countries.
To reject African unification is to reject access to a market and workforce of over 1.4 to 1.5 billion people, one of the largest in the world. For example, I bought my car in South Africa and contributed to its economy, yet the multiple borders I must cross make the process costly and restrictive. Remove these artificial barriers, and millions more would be able to participate in such economic exchange, expanding demand, trade, and prosperity across the continent. This is precisely the logic behind regional blocs such as the European Union, whose single market has significantly increased intra regional trade.
Concerns about security threats such as Boko Haram or Al Shabaab spreading under open borders overlook a basic reality. These groups already operate across porous and often weakly enforced borders. The existence of borders has not prevented their movement. Nor would a more integrated Africa necessarily exacerbate it, especially if accompanied by coordinated continental security mechanisms.
The fear that a borderless Africa would trigger uncontrollable migration is equally overstated. Even today, determined individuals can and do settle across the continent. Personal choices, cultural ties, and economic realities still shape migration patterns. For instance, I live in Blantyre, Malawi, and have no desire to relocate even within the country. That would not change under a unified Africa. What would change is that my business, currently limited to a market of about 20 million people, would gain access to a continental market exceeding 1.4 billion. That is transformative. It would expand opportunity and, importantly, give Black Africans, including those in South Africa, greater control over their economic destiny.
The idea of African unity is not new. Kwame Nkrumah argued that Africa must unite to overcome the structural weaknesses imposed by colonial fragmentation. Today, despite more than 50 independent states, intra African trade remains low, at roughly 15% of total trade, compared to over 60% in Europe. This fragmentation benefits external powers that continue to exploit division through economic and political leverage. Why is it easier for leaders such as William Ruto to seek support in the United States than for countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi to coordinate production and development?
A unified Africa offers the possibility of a single currency, coordinated political and economic systems, and collective bargaining power in global affairs. It would not be perfect, but it would be far more effective than isolated national efforts, even for relatively stronger economies like South Africa. After all, Africans already demonstrate solidarity in moments of external pressure, as seen when countries rallied behind South Africa during the stand off with the USA. If unity is possible in adversity, there is no reason it cannot be pursued in the service of shared prosperity!
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