Kwame Danquah Calls for Deeper African Integration to Boost Growth

Kwame Danquah, president of the Harakatiza Muungano (Union Movement), addressed delegates at a conference in Accra, urging African leaders to pursue bold political and economic reforms. He argued that stronger regional cooperation is essential to accelerate industrialisation, reduce poverty and improve the continent’s global competitiveness. Danquah highlighted Africa’s reliance on raw‑material exports, a combined GDP of about US$3 trillion in 2023, and a mere 3 percent share of world trade, while intra‑African trade remains around 15 percent. He stressed the need for integrated policies, education, technology and infrastructure investment to harness the projected 2.5 billion‑person population by 2050, with more than 60 percent under age 30. To address youth unemployment and risky migration, he proposed an African “Social Security Penta‑Fund” to fund housing, health, education and long‑term investment. Danquah’s appeal aims to create larger markets, improve labour mobility and build a resilient, diversified African economy.