African Union Urged to Prioritize Free Movement Protocol to Secure Success of AfCFTA

As African leaders prepare for the African Union's (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in El Alamein, Egypt, scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2026, critical questions are being raised regarding the structural foundations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While the trade agreement promises significant increases in intra-African trade and substantial poverty alleviation across the continent, experts argue that these economic ambitions are destined to remain unfulfilled unless the AU addresses a fundamental contradiction: the attempt to move goods freely while simultaneously restricting the movement of the people who trade them. The success of the AfCFTA is intrinsically linked to the free movement of labor and entrepreneurs, a component that currently faces significant political and social hurdles.

A primary barrier to this integration is the slow ratification of the AU’s Free Movement Protocol. Despite the optimistic projections of the trade bloc, the realities on the ground involve strict visa regulations and a growing "mobility gap" that prevents small-scale traders and professionals from crossing borders legally and safely. This lack of mobility is exacerbated by rising xenophobia and violence against migrants, most notably observed in South Africa. These incidents of localized violence not only threaten continental unity but also pose a direct risk to the safety of traders and the stability required for long-term economic investment. Without a unified continental response to xenophobia, the promise of a borderless market remains a distant reality.

Beyond policy and security, the implementation of the AfCFTA requires a holistic approach that connects trade frameworks with essential human rights and basic infrastructure. Observers note that trade initiatives must be supported by investments in basic services such as water and sanitation to sustain the communities and hubs where cross-border trade occurs. The current disconnect between high-level trade agreements and the daily struggles of African migrants highlights a need for the AU to reconcile economic integration with human rights protections. Political commitment at the upcoming El Alamein summit will be crucial in determining whether the AU can move past rhetoric to enforce anti-xenophobia measures and facilitate easier border crossings.

Ultimately, the future of Africa’s shared prosperity depends on the political will of its leaders to facilitate the movement of its people. The AfCFTA cannot function as a purely mechanical trade tool; it must be a human-centered project that empowers Africans to traverse the continent without fear or excessive bureaucratic delay. As the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting approaches, the African Union faces a defining moment to prove that the continent can overcome internal divisions and truly turn its vision of an integrated economic powerhouse into a reality for its 1.3 billion citizens.