Appraisal: Senator Ned Nwoko and his call for Africa’s cohesion

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BY AUSTIN OYIBODE

Senator Ned Nwoko, a prominent Nigerian businessman, lawyer, and philanthropist and federal lawmaker, recently made headlines when he called for a unified currency and common language for the 54 countries on the African continent.

His call has sparked conversation and debate across the African continent. His proposal taps into broader discussions about the future of Africa, particularly how the continent can better position itself on the global stage, enhance internal cohesion, and unlock its economic potentials.

These ideas are both ambitious and complex, rooted in a vision for greater African unity. They also come with significant challenges, requiring deep exploration to understand the motivations, potential benefits, and obstacles of implementing a unified currency and language across Africa.

One of the major aspects of Nwoko’s proposal is his call for a single African currency. Currently, Africa is home to 54 countries, many of which use different currencies. Some countries share a currency through regional organizations, such as the West African CFA franc or the East African Shilling, but the continent still suffers from a fragmented monetary landscape. This fragmentation has long been seen as an obstacle to deeper economic integration.

A unified currency, according to Nwoko, would be transformative for Africa. By creating a single monetary unit, African nations could eliminate the need for currency conversion when trading with one another, which would reduce transaction costs and make cross-border trade simpler and more efficient.

Businesses could more easily operate across national borders, as they would no longer need to deal with exchange rate fluctuations. This could foster the growth of intra-African trade, which remains underdeveloped despite efforts like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aimed at boosting trade between African nations.

Moreover, a unified currency could provide economic stability for many African countries, some of which experience significant volatility in their national currencies due to inflation or poor fiscal management. By adopting a common currency, these countries could benefit from a more stable and regulated monetary policy, similar to the experience of smaller European nations after joining the eurozone.

In addition, a unified currency could attract greater foreign investment to Africa. Investors are often wary of the risks associated with currency fluctuations, particularly in emerging markets. A stable, continent-wide currency could mitigate some of those risks, making African markets more attractive to global investors. This, in turn, could drive economic growth and development across the continent.

Alongside his call for a unified currency, Nwoko has also proposed the adoption of a common African language. Africa is home to an astonishing linguistic diversity, with more than 2,000 languages spoken across the continent. This linguistic diversity is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Africa, but it also presents a challenge for communication, education, and unity.

Nwoko’s proposal for a common language is aimed at addressing these challenges. By adopting a single language for communication across the continent, Africans could more easily engage with one another, whether in trade, diplomacy, or cultural exchange.

A common language could also play a role in fostering a stronger sense of African identity and unity, helping to overcome the divisions that colonialism imposed by drawing arbitrary borders between ethnic groups and languages.

A common language could also have practical benefits in terms of education and governance. Currently, many African countries use colonial languages, such as English, French, and Portuguese, as their official languages. While these languages serve as bridges between different linguistic groups, they also perpetuate the legacy of colonialism and can be barriers to education for many people, particularly those in rural areas who do not speak the colonial languages fluently.

By adopting a common African language, countries could promote greater access to education and more inclusive governance, empowering citizens to participate more fully in their societies.

A unified language, according to Nwoko, would promote social cohesion, facilitate education, and enable Africans to communicate more effectively with one another. By breaking down linguistic barriers, a common language could foster a stronger sense of African identity and unity. It would allow for the free flow of ideas, knowledge, and innovation, which is essential for the continent’s development.

Ned Nwoko’s call for a unified African currency and language reflects a broader vision for African unity and progress. His proposals are rooted in the belief that Africa can achieve greater economic and social integration by breaking down the barriers that divide its people.

A unified currency could simplify trade, attract investment, and provide economic stability, while a common language could foster greater communication and cultural unity across the continent.

However, both ideas face significant challenges. The economic disparity between African countries, the need for strong institutions, and the complexities of implementing a new currency are major obstacles to a unified currency.

Similarly, the linguistic diversity of Africa and the practical challenges of adopting a common language would make that process partly challenging. Despite these challenges, Nwoko’s proposals open an important conversation about the future of Africa and how the continent can work towards greater unity and self-reliance in the years to come.