Mozambican President Daniel Chapo strongly advocated for deeper political and economic integration across Africa, emphasizing the necessity of free movement, enhanced aviation connectivity, and shared regional infrastructure as decisive pillars for the continent’s development.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Africa Day celebrations in Maputo, Chapo criticized the “artificial” borders inherited from the colonial era that divided peoples sharing identical languages, cultures, and traditions.
He asserted that a unified continental vision is critical to accelerating regional growth, pointing out the absurdity that travelers in certain African nations must still fly to Europe first just to reach a neighboring African country.
To rectify these structural inefficiencies, the Mozambican head of state called for progressive advancements toward common regional mobility, unified trade mechanisms, and a streamlined visa-free system reminiscent of the European Union.
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While praising the ongoing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Chapo noted that a single continental currency and passport would allow Africa to rival global economic powerhouses like the United States and China.
The Africa Day event, which marks the historic creation of the Organisation of African Unity, also served to launch commemorations for the upcoming 40th anniversary of the passing of Samora Machel, Moçambique’s founding president and a towering figure of pan-African solidarity.
