In the days after Brexit, markets plunged, the pound sterling went into free fall, a prime minister resigned and the future not only of the UK, but also the European Union seemed uncertain.
Beyond the reasons that divided people over this vote and the economic and political ramifications, is a growing frustration with inter-governmental integration models.
Why then – with the woes of the European Union so visible – is Africa forging ahead with an ambitious plan to accelerate the free movement of Africans and integrate national economies beyond border communities and physical proximity?
There are three reasons for these interesting points of divergence: The first is that the context in Europe and Africa is dramatically different. The European Union is the most integrated region globally.
For at least 50 years, Europeans have enjoyed the benefits of integration. A large part of the EU population has never known what it is like to be asked for visas while travelling in the region, or seek work permits to work elsewhere in Europe.
On the contrary, Africa is the most fragmented continent worldwide, and its people suffer the cost of non-integration on a daily basis. This fragmentation was imposed on Africa, and we are now working to reversethisprocess, without violating the principle of sovereignty.
The second reason is the difference in the models of governance between the European Union and the African Union. The European Commission has the power to make regulatory decisions on behalf of all EU members.
This very centralised model means that there is a high level of pan-European decision-making, especially among Eurozone countries. On the contrary, the African Union Commission is basically decentralised in nature, with limited influence on regional economic communities (RECs).
The third reason for growing integration across Africa is to do with flexibility. We are aware that there is no continental prescription toward integration. Thus, various methods have been adopted in different trade blocs that demonstrate that one size doesn’t fit all.
Therefore, as the integration train gets up a full head of steam, the speed won’t be determined by the train wagon with the lowest speed. A sense of urgency and haste is what defines the process, as RECs develop parallel but non-contradictory strategies to advance integration objectives.
Having said that, this year’s 27th African Union Summit is taking place in Rwanda, three weeks after the Brexit vote re-examined European integration.
The vision of the African Union is enshrined in Agenda 2063, a continental paradigm shift aimed at working towards “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”
An ambitious goal to be sure, but numerous continental and regional projects have illustrated how concrete progress can make Agenda 2063 a reality.
In East Africa, regional integration has been instrumental in building cross-border infrastructure; removing barriers to the movement of people and goods; and, cutting costs for the East African Community citizen.
According to the Africa Regional Integration Index report 2016, the EAC is rated as a leading regional bloc on the continent on various dimensions that include trade integration, regional infrastructure and productive integration.
A key element of this upward growth trajectory is understanding and learning the benefits of flexibility, as previously pointed out. If one size does not fit all, creating other ways to accelerate the process can be useful.
Two EAC regional initiatives – the Northern Corridor Integration Projects and the Central Corridor – are frameworks designed to fast-track implementation of cross-border projects and thus accelerate individual countries’ and regional economic transformation.
Projects along both corridors are tailored to different EAC member countries under the principle of variable geometry. This principle allows for progression in co-operation among a sub-group of members in a larger integration scheme, in a variety of areas and at different speeds.
In enabling the free movements of its citizens, the EAC has focused on various initiatives. These include the East African Single Tourist Visa, which promotes the region as a single tourist destination.
EAC countries along the Northern Corridor have also waived fees for work permits; and allow the use of I.Ds or voting cards as travelling documents. A growing number of mutually recognided agreements mean that accountants, architects and engineers can work seamlessly across EAC states.
Connectivity is an essential aspect within the region, so it is no surprise that on a global level, the EAC is probably the only regional bloc that has already scrapped mobile roaming charges. The One Network Area has led to a minimum 400 per cent increase in the volume of calls; a direct benefit to EAC citizens and African businesses operating across EAC borders.
Along the Central Corridor, there is renewed energy and plans are being developed to implement infrastructure projects such as standard gauge Dar es Salaam-Isaka-Kigali-Keza-Musongati Railway, and the Rusumo Hydropower Plant.
A one education area is in the pipeline, as well as an open skies policy that will allow for liberalisation of airspace across EAC countries, starting with those along the Northern Corridor.
What we’re witnessing is that solutions have to be based on actual needs and aspirations of people, with clear and visible results. The Brexit vote was driven by citizens’ frustrations and the feeling that the EU was a distant bureaucracy in Brussels detached from reality. One key lesson fot the EAC is that we must remain true to our mission: “One people – one destiny.”
For all the reasons above, I believe that Africa is on the right course. A mindset and processes that are citizen-centred, inclusive and where leaders are accountable to those they lead and to each other, is the right way to go.
People know what they value and want, and are ready to contribute to its achievement provided they’re involved at every step.
As leaders, we must increasingly involve our citizens in decision-making and implementation; and not only when their vote is needed to legitimise or reject a decision they never made in the first place.
