Borderless Africa key to SME growth and economic independence – Prof Evans Gyasi

Professor Evans Akwasi Gyasi, Associate Professor of International Trade at the School of Economics, Finance and Law, Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, has advocated for a borderless Africa as a catalyst for accelerating intra-continental trade and sustainable development.

Speaking at the launch of the Trade Growth Network in Accra, Prof. Gyasi emphasised the urgent need to dismantle artificial borders and customs restrictions that continue to hamper trade among African nations, particularly for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

“One major challenge we face in Africa is the artificial boundaries between countries. It’s quite disheartening. It’s about time we embraced a borderless continent—where an SME in Ghana can seamlessly export products to Rwanda, Kenya, or Tanzania, and vice versa,” he stated.

As the architect of the newly launched Trade Growth Network, Prof. Gyasi explained that the initiative will work closely with key institutions to promote regional trade and SME empowerment.

“We will be actively collaborating with export and import promotion agencies, national development agencies, chambers of commerce, and both local and regional governments,” he noted.

He drew comparisons with Europe and Asia, citing the European Union (EU) as a successful model of regional integration where internal trade barriers have been removed, resulting in robust economic transformation.

“The population of the EU is less than a billion, yet across 28 countries, businesses can freely export and trade within the union. Africa must take a similar path if we want to achieve true economic independence,” he added.

Prof Gyasi urged African leaders to prioritise policies that create enabling environments for SMEs to scale and expand across the continent without bureaucratic or logistical hindrances.

He further noted that while the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a viable framework for such integration, its success will depend heavily on strong political will and practical implementation.

“A borderless Africa is not just an ideal; it is a necessity for economic transformation. AfCFTA gives us the platform—but it is up to our leaders to make it work,” he concluded.

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