AfCFTA Success Rests on Aligning National and Continental Interests – Economist
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Economist, Dr. Evans Nunoo, has underscored the need for African countries to balance their national interests with collective continental goals if the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is to deliver its intended benefits.
Speaking on The Focus on Zed 101.9FM, Dr. Nunoo explained that each African country remains fully sovereign, making it difficult for external bodies to intervene directly in national economic spaces. This sovereignty, he noted, often creates challenges for the effective implementation of continent-wide trade agreements.
He described the AfCFTA, which was established under the auspices of the African Union (AU), as a critical initiative designed to address some of Africa’s long-standing trade barriers. However, he stressed that its success largely depends on the commitment and cooperation of member states.
Dr. Nunoo stated that Member states must be accommodating enough, noting that there have been instances where some countries actively resist free trade agreements endorsed by the AU.
According to him, such resistance undermines the spirit of integration and limits the gains expected from the AfCFTA.
Using Ghana as an example, Dr. Nunoo commended the government’s diplomatic approach to trade-related disputes in recent times, particularly in dealing with the issue of foreign nationals operating illegally within the country’s economic space. He noted that Ghana has generally managed these challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation.
However, he pointed out that this approach is not common across the continent. “If you go to other countries in Africa, it isn’t like that,” he said, explaining that in some countries, strong and sometimes restrictive trade barriers are deliberately imposed to protect domestic interests.
Dr. Nunoo acknowledged that such actions are often driven by constitutional and legal obligations of individual states. He referenced Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which he described as the supreme law of the land, guiding government decisions and national priorities.
He therefore called for a more deliberate effort to align national constitutions and interests with Africa’s broader integration agenda. According to him, the challenge is not choosing between continental and national interests, but finding practical ways to harmonise the two.
Dr. Nunoo further noted that while continental institutions and agreements remain relevant, many have struggled to fully live up to their mandates. He argued that the time has come for a critical review of how these institutions operate.
“I think it’s high time we look at how we can resolve these challenges and help them through the restructuring of their business processes,” he said.
He reiterated that without genuine political will, institutional reforms and a shared commitment by member states, Africa’s quest for deeper trade integration will continue to face significant setbacks.
