South African Minister Ronald Lamola called for the urgent acceleration of regional integration and intra-African trade during a parliamentary address on Tuesday.

This push for economic autonomy is intended to shield African nations from volatile external markets and geopolitical instability. By reducing reliance on non-African trade partners, the continent aims to create a more resilient internal economy capable of weathering global financial crises.

Lamola delivered these remarks during the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's budget vote for the 2026/27 fiscal year [1]. He said that the continent must prioritize these integration efforts to protect itself from external economic shocks.

Beyond trade, the minister highlighted the role of human movement in economic growth. Lamola said that migration is one of the significant drivers of regional development.

This strategy aligns with broader continental goals to unify markets. Wamkele Mene said that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area represents Africa's strategic shield against external shocks.

The call for integration comes amid a broader push for African self-reliance. While specific trade volumes were not detailed in the budget speech, other regional efforts have seen significant engagement, such as the Biashara Afrika forum, which hosted more than 1,500 participants [2].

Lamola emphasized that the shift toward internal trade is not merely an economic preference but a necessity for stability. He said the acceleration of these processes is urgent to ensure the continent is not left vulnerable to shifts in global power dynamics.

“Africa must urgently accelerate regional integration and intra‑African trade to shield the continent from external economic shocks.”

The emphasis on intra-African trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signals a strategic pivot toward 'south-south' cooperation. By framing migration as a development tool rather than a security risk, South Africa is advocating for a policy shift that views the movement of labor and capital as a primary engine for growth, aiming to decouple the continent's economic fate from the volatility of Western and Asian markets.