BUA Chairman Calls for Easier Cross-Border Movement to Support AfCFTA

Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, has urged African governments to remove restrictive visa systems and border bottlenecks slowing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Rabiu said Africa’s ambition to build a unified continental market cannot be fully achieved if investors, business owners and professionals continue to face movement restrictions across African countries.

Speaking during a regional business forum focused on Africa’s economic integration agenda, the billionaire industrialist noted that trade liberalisation goes beyond tariff reductions and requires practical reforms that allow easier movement of people, goods and services across borders.

According to him, many African businesses still encounter administrative obstacles, immigration restrictions and inefficient border systems despite the continent’s push toward deeper economic cooperation under AfCFTA.

He stressed that the inability to move freely within Africa weakens regional trade competitiveness and discourages private sector expansion across multiple markets.

Rabiu also questioned the contradiction in allowing smoother access for visitors from outside Africa while African entrepreneurs and investors continue to face complex travel requirements within the continent.

He explained that stronger regional integration would help accelerate industrialisation, strengthen supply chains and expand opportunities for African businesses seeking growth beyond domestic markets.

The AfCFTA framework was established to create a single African market capable of improving trade volumes, boosting manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imports from outside the continent.

However, analysts said the agreement’s long-term success depends not only on trade policies but also on supporting infrastructure, harmonised regulations, customs efficiency and visa liberalisation across participating countries.

Industry observers believe Africa’s low level of intra-continental trade compared to Europe and Asia continues to reflect long-standing structural barriers affecting transportation, logistics and cross-border business operations.

Rabiu’s remarks carry significant weight given BUA Group’s growing presence across sectors including cement, food processing, infrastructure and manufacturing.

The company’s operations across multiple markets position it among the African businesses directly affected by border delays, inconsistent trade policies and mobility restrictions.

Economic analysts said improved movement across African countries could significantly strengthen AfCFTA implementation by encouraging investment flows, improving regional supply chains and supporting private sector-led growth across the continent.