Monrovia, Liberia – The African Continental Free Trade Area, according to Dr. Samuel Kifle, Interim President of Addis Ababa University, is a daring vision for the unification of the continent, Africa, and not merely a continental economic pact. He noted that the AfCFTA’s ambition of a single market of 1.4 billion people has the power to revolutionize commerce, industry, and innovation in all African countries. “We must, however, work together in many other areas and in capacity building to achieve this.”
Dr. Kifle that, the Addis Ababa University acknowledges the important role and responsibility that this journey entails. According to him, the continent’s diverse topography and populace emphasize the significance of regional cooperation in achieving sustainable development.
With the potential to provide an estimated $3 trillion in economic value, he said, regional integration offers a chance to promote a united Africa. A fully connected Africa will become a symbol of success by making use of the continent’s wealth of natural and human resources, advancing industrial progress, expanding markets, luring investments, and achieving economies of scale.
The continent of Africa is still dealing with issues that have existed for many years. Significant problems that impede the continent growth include ongoing wars, pervasive food insecurity, and frequent droughts. It is concerning to note that more than 470 million Africans struggle to satisfy their basic necessities and live below the poverty line.
Despite contributing just 4% of the world’s carbon emissions, the continent nevertheless bears the brunt of climate change, with harsh weather patterns, desertification, and diminishing agricultural production. Geographical barriers also make it difficult to access markets, which frequently results in higher costs and longer delivery times for commodities.
Notwithstanding the difficulties, it is crucial to acknowledge that Africa’s dynamic and growing population whose median age is 25, and which is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 offers substantial opportunities for promoting regional and economic cooperation.
It is important to establish unified educational systems, improve labor markets, and encourage cross-border information and technology sharing in order to fully realize the potential of this youth demographic.
Education and research are key drivers of Africa’s transformation. Universities must not only generate knowledge, but ensure that research impacts policies, industries, and communities across the continent. It is through knowledge-sharing, innovation, and human capital development that African can bridge gaps and accelerate integration.
“Research and teaching that directly support Africa’s sustainable development are priorities for us at Addis Ababa University. We can address major issues like unemployment, the migration of skilled workers, and social instability by promoting regional collaboration, which would improve the opportunities for Africa’s young and assist its economic development,” Dr. Kifle stressed.
Dr. Kifle remarked that Ethiopia is making great strides in the field of education. A major step in a larger reform program aimed at enhancing the nation’s higher education system was recently implemented when the federal government granted Addis Ababa University autonomy. The fact that Addis Ababa institution is now the nation’s first independent institution signifies a major progress. “We have embraced this change and are putting new laws into place to guide us as a leading university.”
Dr. Kifle, who spoke on the topic “Building the African Dream: the AfCFTA as our integration accelerator,” stated that the institution has undergone a thorough restructuring in order to align its vision and purpose with the evolving demands of the twenty-first century.
The interim president of AUU maintained that the university has created a new strategy plan that reflects their commitment to Ethiopia’s revitalization and emphasizes their pride in being a preeminent establishment.
Governance, organizational culture, educational quality, partnerships, resource creation, and international collaborations are just a few of the crucial areas that this strategy highlights.
According to this reform, promoting strategic and impactful partnerships and long-term international collaborations, improving academic networks and research, and fortifying academic exchanges and global engagements are some of the strategic themes included in Addis Ababa University’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan.
This strategic vision is in line with the main goals of the AfCFTA; “we are directly advancing Africa’s economic integration by strengthening regional academic networks, encouraging mobility and information sharing, and fostering innovation. Ensuring that AfCFTA transitions from policy to practice will require strong institutions, as well as well-connected scholars and students,” Dr. Kifle emphasized.
Speaking at the AfCFTA lecture series in Addis Ababa, Dr. Kifle maintained that in collaboration with the African Development Bank, Addis Ababa University is honoured to present significant public lecture, which seeks to highlight the vital role of regional integration in Africa. The lecture according to him signifies the commencement of numerous significant dialogues regarding the collective efforts to foster unity across the African continent, paving the way for a more prosperous collective future.
