Ghanaian lawyer and policy strategist Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is renewing his call for Africa to pursue deeper economic integration, arguing that the continent’s global competitiveness depends on its ability to move beyond fragmented national markets.

He maintains that Africa’s current economic structure, shaped largely by inherited colonial boundaries, continues to weaken its collective bargaining power in global trade and investment.

According to him, “Africa must unite economically to compete globally,” stressing that isolated national economies cannot match the scale and influence of consolidated global markets.

He further argues that fragmentation limits opportunity, noting that Africa’s growth potential remains constrained when countries operate as separate, competing units rather than a single economic bloc.

He points to global examples such as China and India, explaining that their large integrated markets have enabled them to attract investment, scale industrial production, and strengthen global influence.

At the heart of his proposal is the belief that Africa’s transformation requires a shift towards a unified market system that allows freer movement of goods, services, capital, and labour under harmonised rules.

The Founder and Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network argues that such integration would improve infrastructure development, reduce trade costs, strengthen financial systems, and expand opportunities for businesses across the continent.

His position aligns with ongoing continental frameworks under the African Union Agenda 2063 vision, which promotes long-term economic integration and shared prosperity.

Through the Africa Prosperity Network, he has consistently championed the idea that Africa’s economic future lies in collaboration, scale, and connectivity rather than fragmentation.

He warns that without stronger integration, Africa risks remaining a collection of small markets with limited global influence, rather than a unified economic powerhouse capable of shaping global trade dynamics.