By Hussaini Ibrahim
A development scholar, Abdulrahman A. Terab, has proposed a new continental economic strategy aimed at addressing xenophobia, economic fragmentation and cross-border tensions in Africa through what he described as the African Competitive Synergy Framework.
Terab made the proposal in a statement issued on May 10, 2026, where he argued that Africa’s economic and social tensions were largely rooted in colonial structures that encouraged competition among African communities rather than collaboration.
According to him, the continent must move away from what he described as a “zero-sum” perception of migration and adopt a “competitive synergy” model that recognises Africa’s cultural diversity as an economic asset.
“The solution to xenophobia and economic stagnation is not the closing of borders, but the formalisation of cross-cultural equity partnerships,” he stated.
He explained that colonial administrations structured African economies to compete against one another, creating divisions that still influence modern economic and political relations across the continent.
“For over a century, African economies were structured by colonial administrations to be outward-facing and competitive against one another. Borders were drawn not only to divide people but to compartmentalise resources,” he said.
Terab noted that recurring anti-immigrant tensions in some African countries were modern manifestations of inherited colonial economic systems that conditioned communities to view migrants as competitors for limited resources.
Drawing parallels with pre-colonial Africa, he argued that African societies historically thrived through collaborative trade networks and specialised economic roles.
“The salt miners of the Sahara, the gold traders of the Sahel and the agriculturalists of the forest belts operated in vast interdependent networks based on their respective regional advantages,” he stated.
The scholar said the African Continental Free Trade Area provided the legal framework for continental integration, but stressed that behavioural and policy shifts were necessary for the initiative to succeed.
According to him, the proposed framework seeks to transform diversity into what he described as “technical utility” by encouraging partnerships among communities with different economic strengths.
He cited examples such as fintech innovation in Nairobi, artisanal expertise in Johannesburg and apprenticeship systems in southeastern Nigeria as unique competitive advantages that could complement one another across the continent.
Terab also proposed the establishment of Joint Business Consortia as implementation tools for cross-cultural economic partnerships.
He explained that such partnerships would encourage shared ownership between local citizens and migrant entrepreneurs, thereby reducing tensions while promoting skill transfer and economic growth.
“By mandating or incentivising that a percentage of diaspora-owned small businesses be co-owned by local citizens, the economic success of the migrant becomes the financial stability of the local,” he said.
The scholar further called on the African Union and African governments to introduce deliberate policy measures to support continental integration.
Among the measures he proposed were the creation of an AU Skills Passport for recognising informal skills across African countries, tax incentives for cross-border business partnerships and the establishment of Special Economic Integration Zones.
He also advocated cultural diplomacy programmes and sensitivity training to improve relations between migrant and host communities across the continent.
According to him, Africa’s long-term development depends on interdependence rather than isolation.
“By moving from competition to collaborative specialisation, Africa can stop the brain drain and internal friction, instead creating a continental ecosystem where the strength of one culture compensates for the gap in another,” he added.
Terab maintained that the framework would help transform Ubuntu from a social philosophy into what he described as “a rigorous economic strategy for global strength.”
