Former African Leaders Urge Faster Integration and Technological Sovereignty, ENA Reports

Former African leaders have called for faster continental integration and stronger technological sovereignty, describing both as central to Africa's long-term prospects, according to the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).

The available summary of the ENA report did not name the leaders, the venue or the occasion, and did not include their specific proposals. Addis Gazette was unable to review the full text of the report.

Two priorities on the continental agenda

The themes reflect long-running discussions within the African Union (AU), which is headquartered in Addis Ababa, about how the continent can strengthen its economic position and reduce its reliance on external actors.

Economic integration has in recent years centred on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The agreement was signed in Kigali in March 2018, entered into force in May 2019, and trading under it formally began in January 2021. It aims to create a single market for goods and services among participating African countries by gradually removing tariffs and reducing other barriers to trade. Ethiopia has ratified the agreement.

Implementation has been slower than many supporters had hoped. Obstacles commonly cited by analysts and policymakers include:

• limited transport and energy infrastructure linking African economies;
• customs procedures and non-tariff barriers at borders;
• differing national regulations and standards;
• restrictions on the movement of people and on cross-border payments.

Technological sovereignty is a newer but growing focus. The term generally refers to a country's or region's ability to shape, govern and benefit from the digital technologies it relies on, including data, telecommunications infrastructure, digital platforms and artificial intelligence. Supporters argue that without this capacity, African economies risk remaining consumers of technology designed elsewhere, with data and economic value flowing out of the continent.

The AU has adopted several frameworks in this area, including the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030), the AU Data Policy Framework and a Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy endorsed in 2024. These documents encourage member states to invest in digital infrastructure, develop local skills and harmonize rules on data governance and cross-border data flows.

Links to Agenda 2063

Both priorities fall under Agenda 2063, the AU's long-term development blueprint adopted in 2015. Its flagship projects include the AfCFTA, an integrated high-speed rail network, a Single African Air Transport Market and expanded digital connectivity.

Former heads of state and government regularly take part in continental forums and policy dialogues on these issues.

Relevance for Ethiopia

For Ethiopia, the issues carry direct domestic weight. The government has presented digital transformation as a pillar of its economic reform agenda, including the expansion of mobile money and digital identification and the opening of the telecommunications sector to new competition. As host of the AU, Addis Ababa is also a regular venue for continental discussions on integration.

Whether calls such as those reported by ENA translate into concrete policy will depend largely on member states, which hold primary responsibility for ratifying, financing and implementing continental agreements.

Addis Gazette will update this report as further details of the leaders' remarks become available.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency (state)