Senate President François-Xavier Kalinda has urged young people to seize the opportunities presented by African regional trade, stressing the importance of transcending colonial mindsets to develop the continent. “We’ve spent too long copying others, it’s high time we stopped seeing ourselves through colonial borders and started building confidently on the strong foundation, especially those Rwanda has laid,” Kalinda said during a joint session of the two houses of Rwandan Parliament on May 23. In the session on Pan-Africanism, Alodie Iradukunda, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), echoed Kalinda’s remarks and emphasized the vast opportunities regional integration presents for young people, especially entrepreneurs with modest capital. ALSO READ: EAC: Rwandan lawmaker moves AfCFTA women, youth motion “Small-scale traders, especially those with under $2,000 in capital, stand to benefit greatly from the East African Community’s simplified trade regime, which allows easier cross-border movement of goods with reduced customs barriers. “This stimulates local economies, strengthens income security, and improves government revenue collection,” she stated. Iradukunda also highlighted the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as a transformative initiative aiming to open up the continent’s skies, reduce airfare costs, and boost intra-African movement. However, she raised concerns over persistent economic barriers. “Despite the promise of liberalized airspace, intra-African flights remain expensive,” Iradukunda said. “A one-way ticket from Kigali to Nairobi ranges from $300 to $600, while a trip to Dubai may cost only $200-300. In 2024, average ticket prices rose by 21% compared to 2019. This hinders youth mobility and access to opportunities across Africa,” she noted. ALSO READ: Rwanda among countries chosen for AfCFTA pilot trading Calling for a shift in mindset and strategy, Iradukunda urged young Africans to embrace Pan-African solidarity and collaboration, particularly in technology and digital sectors. “Artificial intelligence, for example, requires vast data,” she said. “Why should every country build its own data center? We must work together, share infrastructure and create a digitally connected Africa.” She noted that the African Union’s Agenda 2063 is a clear roadmap to a united and prosperous continent. “It envisions a single African passport, seamless movement of people and goods, robust intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, and sustainable development rooted in good governance and cultural pride.” ALSO READ: The next superpower isn’t a country, it is Africa’s youth Iradukunda also mentioned that Africa’s youth must take ownership of the continent’s destiny and emphasized that solutions must come from within. “Africa’s second liberation (agenda 2063) is about economic freedom and continental unity. It will not be handed to us. It must be built,” she said. Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Mussa Fazil Harerimana underscored the alignment between Agenda 2063 and Rwanda’s Vision 2050, emphasizing the role of the private sector and regional trade in national development. “Promoting the private sector and facilitating trade across Africa directly supports Rwanda’s strategic goals. We must be active participants, not bystanders, in shaping Africa’s future,” Harerimana said.
