Africa Without Borders International Forum

General Introduction Convinced that only an Africa united intellectually, scientifically, politically, and economically, and capable of acting beyond the borders inherited from colonization, can meet the immense challenges of our time, the Africa Without Borders Association (AWB) is spearheading the initiative for an International Forum on Africa Without Borders, scheduled for November 2025. This conviction is not merely an ideological proclamation; it is based on a historical and contemporary analysis of African trajectories, the resulting structural obstacles, and the profound aspirations of its people. Persuaded that major global upheavals—asymmetric globalization, excessive financialization of the economy, the digital revolution, the energy transition, and the reconfiguration of international alliances—demand bold African responses, this forum presents itself as an inclusive platform for rethinking the continent's trajectory. Africa cannot remain a mere object of global dynamics; it must assert itself as a strategic actor. This observation takes on its full significance when considering the limitations of existing regional integration mechanisms, often hampered by political divergences, external economic dependencies, and recurring security crises. Yet, the intellectual and political history of the continent, from Kwame Nkrumah to Samir Amin and Cheikh Anta Diop, has demonstrated that integration and unification are not merely utopian ideals, but vital necessities for Africa's sovereignty and sustainable development. The Africa Without Borders International Forum thus continues this Pan-African intellectual and activist tradition, while adapting it to the realities of the 21st century. It aims to be a space where academic knowledge, field experience, pub