ACCRA, Ghana — African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary General Wamkele Mene has strongly condemned the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, emphasizing that the nation’s challenges are domestic rather than caused by fellow Africans. Alongside his call for social cohesion, the AfCFTA chief championed deeper digital integration and industrial investment across the continent as essential drivers for meaningful intra-African trade and a unified market.
Addressing the misinformation surrounding migration, Mene pointed out that South Africa is home to only 2 to 2.5 million non-South Africans who are African. He stressed that this data does not support the narrative that the country is being overwhelmed by fellow Africans. Furthermore, he dismantled claims by vigilante groups suggesting that African migrants contribute disproportionately to crime, citing South Africa’s own government data, which reveals that 89% of the country’s prison population consists of South African citizens.
Mene characterized the recent hostilities as ethnic mobilization driven by strong underlying political factors leading up to local government elections. He reminded stakeholders that South Africa possesses a comprehensive body of law designed to protect the dignity of every individual within its borders, regardless of their documentation status. Consequently, he asserted that the government holds a specific responsibility to enforce all laws, including immigration statutes, fairly and consistently.
To illustrate the economic benefits of open borders, Mene highlighted a past policy shift: when South Africa removed visa restrictions for Ghana, the country experienced a 296% increase in arrivals from Ghana. These visitors primarily engaged in business, medical, and tourism activities, demonstrating how streamlined movement fosters legitimate economic exchange.
Shifting focus to continental economic infrastructure, Mene provided an update on the AfCFTA’s digital trade protocol, which has been officially adopted by heads of state. He noted with approval that Nigeria has become the first country to ratify the agreement, with other nations expected to follow. Mene described the protocol as a vital regulatory framework that will enable interoperable payment systems, seamless cross-border data movement, and the commercialization of data within Africa.
The Secretary General also emphasized the need for the continent to nurture emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and to manage its own data resources rather than relying on third-party countries. A key component of this vision is the development of a continental digital identity platform supported by blockchain innovations, which would give governments the confidence to facilitate the easier, secure movement of persons.
On the topic of global trade partnerships, Mene referenced recent discussions held in Lomé regarding China’s offer of zero-tariff access to the Chinese market for African goods. He cautioned that access alone is insufficient without parallel investments. Mene advocated for “investment trade,” urging that partnerships with China focus on Africa’s industrial development and capacity for value addition. This approach, he argued, is critical to ensuring Africa exports higher-value products rather than merely raw materials.
While the AfCFTA secretariat has not yet held direct conversations with the Chinese government to formalize this linkage between authorities, Mene confirmed that such discussions are intended. He expressed confidence that Chinese counterparts will recognize the mutual benefits of fostering value-chain investments to unlock the full potential of Africa’s digital and industrial economies.