South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the need for stronger African unity and more robust democratic institutions in his recent address at the First Ordinary Session of the 7th Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament. He urged quicker implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to help the continent tackle global economic challenges, geopolitical tensions, climate change, and regional instability. Ramaphosa underscored the importance of the Pan-African Parliament in fostering democracy, transparency, accountability, and constitutional governance across Africa and encouraged lawmakers to enhance oversight, harmonize legislation, and ensure that African Union commitments lead to real improvements in citizens’ lives.
In line with this year’s African Union focus on water security, Ramaphosa called for increased investment in water infrastructure and improved governance to guarantee sustainable access to clean water and sanitation. He highlighted the need for cross-border cooperation in these efforts and stressed the importance of building climate resilience and enhancing public health preparedness. The South African leader reaffirmed his support for the AfCFTA, describing it as vital for economic integration, industrialization, and job creation across the continent. He urged African countries to dismantle trade barriers, modernize customs systems, improve transport infrastructure, and harmonize regulations to fully realize the benefits of continental trade.
Addressing the issue of migration, Ramaphosa called on African nations to achieve a balance between effective immigration management and respect for human rights. He emphasized the importance of tackling the root causes of migration, such as conflict, poverty, and unemployment. His vision for a united Africa includes significant investments in education, infrastructure, democratic institutions, and sustainable development to secure long-term peace and prosperity for the continent.
Ramaphosa stressed that Africa must unite to overcome challenges and emphasized the critical role of the Pan-African Parliament in promoting democratic governance. He urged lawmakers to strengthen their oversight functions and work towards harmonizing legislation that translates African Union commitments into tangible benefits for the people. Furthermore, he highlighted the need for collaboration in addressing water security, climate resilience, and public health preparedness.
The South African president concluded by calling on African nations to embrace the AfCFTA as a catalyst for economic growth and integration. By removing trade barriers and modernizing infrastructure, Ramaphosa believes the continent can unlock the full potential of intra-African trade. His address was a call to action for African countries to work together in building a more prosperous and unified continent.
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