Africa must tear down trade barriers, simplify customs procedures and accelerate the movement of people and goods to unlock the continent's economic potential.

Namibia says physical infrastructure alone cannot deliver regional integration, while the UN Economic Commission for Africa is concerned that intra-African trade remains far below levels recorded in other regions.

The issue came under discussion at the Second Committee dialogue on Regional Commissions at the United Nations Headquarters. 

Africa’s economic integration requires more than roads, railways and ports. 

It demands the removal of bureaucratic restrictions that continue to fragment markets and slow cross-border trade.

Namibia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Penda Naanda, says countries must remove these obstacles to make regional integration meaningful.

“True integration requires us to dismantle more than just physical barriers. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers, simplify customs procedures, and accelerate the free movement of people and ideas. Namibia views regional integration not merely as a political ideal, but as an urgent economic necessity.”

Namibia is investing in deep-water ports and transport corridors, positioning itself as a logistics hub serving the SADC region, particularly landlocked countries.

On the other hand, the scale of the challenge is evident in the continent's trade figures.

Executive Director: UN Economic Commission for Africa Claver Gatete highlighted that African trade accounts for just 17%, compared to more than 60% in Asia and Europe.

“And that's why we are moving very fast to make sure that the trade within African continent also increases, and also removing all the tariff and non-tariff barriers that are hindering the movement of goods and services.”

Gatete said 44 of the 54 signatories to the African Continental Free Trade Area have developed national implementation strategies with Commission's support.

The aim is for the continental trade agreement must also drive industrialisation, allowing African countries to manufacture finished products and build regional value chains.

UN Economic Commission for Africa has identified 94 value chains, covering minerals, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and other sectors.

“And when we talk about trade in finished goods, it means establishing industries within each countries, but at the same time at the regional level. And that's what we call the regional value chains.”

The Second Committee dialogue on Regional Commissions analysed regional perspectives and evidence on how countries are responding to disruptions and vulnerabilities affecting trade and supply chains across the regional and global economy.