Significance of Dialogue, Peace, Security and Stability for Meaningful Expression of the African Continental Free Trade Area in Sub-Saharan Africa in a Fast-Changing Global Village

Abstract

This study examines the nexus between dialogue, peace, security and stability and their role in enabling meaningful expression of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Sub-Saharan Africa within a rapidly changing global village. Drawing on qualitative interviews with four foreign country representatives resident in Zimbabwe and an analysis of secondary sources, including policy documents, conference papers and academic literature, the study argues that sustainable AfCFTA implementation is inseparable from the continent’s capacity to foster dialogue-centred peacebuilding and political stability. The study is anchored in regional integration theory and conflict transformation frameworks, with a focused examination of selected conflict-affected sub-regions and country cases including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe. Findings indicate that political instability, armed conflict, economic sanctions and weak institutional frameworks significantly undermine AfCFTA’s prospects. It is strongly recommended that AfCFTA leverage dialogue as a structural imperative, prioritising peace, security and stability as foundational conditions for continental economic, social and political prosperity.