2022 marks the 20th anniversary since the launch of the African Union, an increasingly relevant voice within the international community and a key player for regional integration and economic development in Africa. A crucial step towards reducing the continent’s fragmentation was the 2021 inauguration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an ambitious initiative with the potential to integrate a continental market of over one billion consumers.
These milestones prompt us to take stock of the continent's progress in regional integration processes. How can the AU rise to the challenges ahead and fully develop into the continent's voice on the international stage? How should we assess the AfCFTA’s progress, and what are its prospects for the future? Which benefits will Africa reap from the economic integration effort?
