14/04/2026
COMESA Court of Justice, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the first day of training unfolded like the opening chapter of a much bigger story. As the room settled, Donald MacKay from the African Global Trade Institute took the floor and began to weave together a narrative of Africa’s present and its possible futures, one shaped by demographics, potential, trade-offs, institutions, initiatives, and ultimately, transformation.
He painted a vivid picture of a continent on the rise. Africa’s population, he explained, is not just growing, it is accelerating, set to move from 18% of the global population today to 26% by 2050, and nearly 38% by the end of the century. At a time when countries like China and Japan are facing population declines, Africa stands at the centre of a global shift, poised to become the workforce of the future. Yet, beneath this promise lies a quiet tension: if opportunities are not created at home, this same youthful population may seek futures elsewhere.
As the story deepened, the duality of this growth became clear. Africa holds the potential to expand its footprint in global trade, supplying goods and services to the world. But this opportunity comes with difficult choices on how to attract investment while ensuring that its people stay, build, and thrive within the continent. Without careful navigation, the promise of growth could coexist with persistent economic disadvantage.
The lens then widened to the global stage. Institutions like the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, once pillars of global order, are showing signs of strain. For smaller economies, this uncertainty is not abstract; it is a real risk. In this shifting landscape, the importance of strong, resilient African institutions becomes even more urgent. The past has shown that weak institutions can slow progress, but the future calls for collaboration, capacity-building, and continuous learning.
But this was not a story without hope. MacKay spoke of emerging efforts to rewrite Africa’s trajectory, initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation and unlock potential. The African Global Trade Institute and the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement stand as examples of what is possible when vision meets action: improved coordination, stronger infrastructure, and a continent increasingly connected within itself.
By the end, the message was clear. Africa’s story is still being written. Its future will depend on how well it harnesses its demographic strength by building robust institutions, investing in skills and education, and working together across borders. What began as a presentation became something more: a call to shape the next chapter.
