Free movement of people across Africa: Regions show how it can work
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in March 2018 signs agreements — among them the protocol to the treaty establishing the African Economic Community relating to free movement of persons — in Kigali, Rwanda. PHOTO | FILE | NMG
The end of January 2023 will mark five years since the African Union Free Movement of Persons protocol was signed by the African Union. A parallel initiative to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, it was designed to reduce barriers to Africans crossing African borders. The benefits of freer movement include trade, investment, cultural understanding and scientific cooperation. Along with several colleagues at the New South Institute, Alan Hirsch is researching pathways towards freer movement. He explains what lies behind the hesitancy of countries to commit to the protocol. And points to ways in which the initiative can move forward.
