Following a directive in 2019 from the African Union Heads of States, Africa Integration Week, which takes place during the first week of July every year, has become a significant event on the continent’s calendar. This annual gathering, known as the Boma of Africa, serves as a platform to showcase, celebrate, and promote the progress made towards the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In 2023, the Boma continues this noble tradition with even greater significance, featuring the endorsement of a common pact for strategic collaboration and the launch of transformative initiatives.
A major highlight of the Boma is the participation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. As Africa’s leading multilateral agency responsible for facilitating trade and economic integration, the AfCFTA Secretariat plays a vital role in advancing the continent’s integration agenda. The presence of the AfCFTA Secretariat at this event signifies the commitment to fostering collaboration among African nations and promoting economic growth through regional trade.
The theme of this year’s Boma is “Unlocking the World Market for Africa’s Future,” which highlights the importance of positioning Africa on the global stage and leveraging international opportunities for economic advancement. The Boma will feature the inaugural Sankore lecture, delivered by an eminent international changemaker, emphasizing the need to tap into global markets to drive Africa’s progress.
The Boma also marks a significant milestone with the endorsement of the 4D Pact for strategic collaboration. This pact brings together Africa’s leading multilateral agencies, including the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Africa Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD), Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), and the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC). By aligning their efforts, these agencies aim to chart a resilient post-pandemic path towards the realization of Agenda 2063.
The 4D Pact will drive two flagship initiatives: the African Public Health Wallet and the 4D Bio-Innovation Value Chain Accelerator (4D BioNovac). These initiatives are instrumental in Africa’s New Public Health & Wealth Order, which acknowledges the lessons learned from the pandemic and emphasizes self-reliance, resilience, innovation, and African agency on the global stage. The Health Wallet will enhance digital health services, evidence-based policymaking, and the free movement of people and goods, contributing to future pandemic responses and improving public health interventions.
Meanwhile, 4D BioNovac will leverage genomics, Artificial Intelligence, and other biotechnological advancements to support Africa’s continental free trade, air transport, vaccine manufacturing, and pathogenic genomics initiatives. By integrating these diverse sectors, Africa aims to reduce dependency and strengthen both wealth creation and health security.
The participation of the AfCFTA Secretariat in the Boma 2023 highlights its crucial role in driving Africa’s integration journey. The AfCFTA, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, is a game-changer for the continent’s economic transformation. By creating a single market of over 1.3 billion people and promoting intra-African trade, the AfCFTA holds the promise of boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and advancing sustainable development across Africa.
Africa Integration Week is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made towards the African integration agenda. It serves as a reminder of the continent’s commitment to unity, self-reliance, and prosperity. The participation of the AfCFTA Secretariat, alongside other strategic partners, underscores the importance of regional cooperation in driving Africa’s development. As Africa continues to assert itself as a credible geopolitical force, events like the Boma provide a platform to showcase success stories, mobilize support for initiatives, and catalyze collaborative efforts towards resilience and agency.
Africa Integration Week 2023, with the participation of the AfCFTA Secretariat, marks a significant step forward in Africa’s integration journey. It is an occasion to celebrate achievements, strengthen partnerships, and chart a path towards a prosperous and united continent.
