The Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU), held on July 21, 2024, in Accra, Ghana, marked a significant step forward in the continent’s economic integration efforts.

The high-profile event, attended by Heads of State and Government from across Africa, saw the adoption of a pivotal proposal by Ghana’s President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to scale up mobile money interoperability across the continent.

President Akufo-Addo, serving as the AU Champion on AU Financial Institutions, emphasized the critical role of mobile money in fostering economic integration and enhancing trade within Africa. His proposal, “Scaling up Interoperability for Economic Integration: Using Mobile Money to Buy and Sell Across Africa,” was enthusiastically endorsed by the AU Assembly.

The adoption of this initiative is a crucial milestone in the AU’s broader strategy to promote intra-African trade and economic cooperation. By enabling seamless mobile money transactions across different countries and financial systems, the AU aims to lower transaction costs, increase financial inclusion, and facilitate easier and faster trade activities among African nations.

The meeting, chaired by H.E. Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the AU, underscored the importance of harmonizing national and regional policies to drive socio-economic development across Africa. The adoption of the mobile money interoperability proposal aligns with the AU’s objectives of enhancing economic stability and fostering closer relations among member states.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the transformative potential of mobile money interoperability, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and informal sector traders who form the backbone of many African economies. “By leveraging mobile technology, we can break down barriers to trade, boost economic activities, and empower millions of Africans to participate in the continental and global economy,” he stated.

The declaration from the meeting also included a call to action for member states to allocate adequate financial resources to ensure the effective implementation of the integration agenda. The AU Commission, in collaboration with regional economic communities (RECs) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), was tasked with publishing a biennial Integration Report starting in 2025, to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

As Africa continues to grapple with the challenges of globalization, the endorsement of mobile money interoperability represents a significant commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable economic development. The AU’s decision is expected to catalyze further innovations in financial services and enhance the continent’s integration into the global economy.