“When we look at cross-border trade along West African corridors, the most absurd and economically regressive non-tariff barrier isn't a structural tariff. It's what I would like to call the paper versus pavement documentation asymmetry” - Ziad Hamoui (@ZHamoui), Co- founder and President of Borderless Alliance (@borderlesswa) During our webinar on “Advancing an Integrated and Visa-Free Africa to Move, Connect, and Trade Freely, Overcoming Afrophobia,” Ziad Hamoui, Co-founder and President, Borderless Alliance, highlighted a critical contradiction: while regional frameworks support the free movement of goods, the traders transporting them, particularly women and small-scale entrepreneurs, continue to face unnecessary documentation hurdles, extortion, and prolonged border delays. The consequences are far-reaching: - Limited awareness of regional trade protocols leaves thousands vulnerable. - Informal payments and corruption increase the cost of doing business. - Hours spent at checkpoints lead to the spoilage of fresh produce and the loss of livelihoods. An integrated Africa cannot be built on policies that facilitate trade on paper but obstruct it on the ground. Removing visa barriers, harmonising border procedures, and protecting the rights of traders are essential steps toward unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and creating a continent where people, goods, and opportunities move freely. It’s time to Make Africa Borderless Now! Join the movement. Watch the story. Share the vision. And add your voice by signing the Make Africa Borderless Now! petition, calling for freer movement of people, goods, services and digital commerce across our continent. Together, we can turn ambition into action and opportunity into shared prosperity. Visit: makeafricaborderlessnow.com/ #MakeAfricaBorderlessNow! #VisaFreeAfrica #papervspavement #TradeWithoutBorders #AfCFTA #AfricaProsperity #BorderlessAfrica #FreeMovement #WomenInTrade #RegionalIntegration

Join us today, together with an exceptional lineup of African leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and changemakers for APN’s special AU Day webinar on: “Advancing An Integrated And Visa-Free Africa To Move, Connect, And Trade Freely, Overcoming Afrophobia” Featuring: - Dr Joy Kategekwa (@JoyKategekwa) – AfDB Regional Integration Coordination Office - Ziad Hamoui (@ZHamoui) – Borderless Alliance (@borderlesswa) - Amma Twum-Amoah (@amma_twumamoah) – African Union Commission (@AfricanUnionCom) - Emmanuel Kwezi Tabaro (@Kwezi_Tabaro) – Energy Policy Researcher & International Development Professional - Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) – Africa Prosperity Network (@APN_Secretariat) - Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) – APN Advisory Council - Amine Idriss Adoum (@amibiaka) – AUDA-NEPAD (@NEPAD_Agency) Dr Josephine Otchere- Darko (@JosephineOtche4)- Programme Head, Wits RHI (@WitsRHI) - Wode Maya (@wode_maya) – African Vlogger & YouTuber - Nana Kwame Bediako (@iamfreedom) – Kwarleyz Group (@KwarleyzG) Moderated by Prince Moses, Director, Strategy, Africa Prosperity Network. This powerful conversation will explore regional integration, free movement, digital borders, AfCFTA opportunities, and the collective action needed to build a borderless and prosperous Africa. Visit: africaprosperitynetwork.com/… Time: GMT #AfricaProsperityNetwork #APN #AUPDay #BorderlessAfrica #AfCFTA #AfricanIntegration #FreeMovement #AfricaRising #Agenda2063