Africa's Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) are designed to create strong synergies to significantly promote intra-African trade and economic development, argued Dr. Saberombokaj, head of labor, employment, immigrant workers, employment and immigrants at the Social Development Agency at the African Union Committee.
However, he told the panel that existing restrictions on the free movement of African people could hinder the realization of this vision.
“Some member states are concerned that it could affect sovereignty. There are security threat issues associated with free movement,” he explained.
He further argued that some countries are reluctant to scrap high visa fees and streamline immigration procedures as the government grew by relying on revenue from these services.
He called on African leaders to walk around the stories of African unity and to embrace the free movement of people across the continent. “In the last decade, we have seen a revival of nationalism and protectionism. We always say there are strict visa rules in Europe, but in Africa we do that too,” he said.
Andile Mtetwa-Amashi, director of the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized the need for a political will to clearly address the factors that hinder the free movement of African people.
Proper perception can convince leaders to change their stance on this important issue. “The lack of political will still be there due to lack of knowledge about actual benefits,” she said.
