The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s largest free trade area, uniting countries across the continent and creating a common market for goods and services. As one of the flagship projects of the African Union’s ‘Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,’ AfCFTA is anticipated to transform the continent into a global economic powerhouse by fostering investment and inclusive economic growth. With Africa continuing to evolve rapidly, initiatives like AfCFTA underscore the continent’s commitment to an integrated, prosperous future, driven by Africans themselves. Additionally, the continent aspires to achieve not only regional but also global interconnectivity.
However, despite these ambitions, significant challenges continue to obstruct progress. Issues such as climate change, demographic expansion, urbanisation, and migration, compounded by armed conflicts and violence, pose substantial obstacles that demand interlinked and comprehensive strategies. Given the diverse and complex nature of African countries, this session will explore and analyse the future trajectory of the continent, examining how these challenges may shape its path forward.