Today, the Accra International Conference Centre transformed from a venue of high-level policy debate into a rallying point for the future of African culture. At the closing of the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD), two of the continent's most influential creative titans—Mr Eazi and Stonebwoy—took the stage to deliver a blistering critique of the "friction" holding Africa back.
Their message was simple: If the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is to succeed, it must first address the "touring nightmare" that treats African superstars like strangers in their own land.
Mr Eazi: "Africa’s Greatest Constraint is Friction"
Oluwatosin Ajibade, known globally as Mr Eazi, spoke not just as an artist, but as a cross-border entrepreneur whose ventures now operate in 19 African countries.
He highlighted a jarring reality that many fans rarely see: the logistical wall that stops music at the border. Eazi revealed that during his rise to global stardom, he found it significantly easier to navigate the visa and travel logistics of Europe and the US than to move between neighboring African states.
"Africa's greatest constraint is not a lack of talent or ambition... the biggest problem we face is friction," Eazi stated. “I have had top-charting songs across the continent, yet I’ve been delayed at borders for hours. If we make Africa borderless, Africa becomes unstoppable.”
He urged leaders to recognize that the youth—those under 35 who drive the "creative economy"—already live in a borderless world via the internet. It is time, he argued, for the physical world to catch up.
Stonebwoy: Music is the Soul of AfCFTA
Ghanaian powerhouse Stonebwoy (Livingstone Etse Satekla) echoed these sentiments, framing the creative industry as the "missing link" in the AfCFTA strategy. He argued that while politicians sign treaties, it is the musicians, filmmakers, and artists who actually build the "African identity" required for a single market to thrive.
Key Highlights from Stonebwoy’s Address:
• Identity Over Policy: Integration must be rooted in culture and identity, not just trade documents.
• The "Make Africa Borderless Now!" Campaign: Stonebwoy lent his voice to the historic 10-million signature petition launched at the event, which calls for full visa-free travel for Africans across the AU member states.
• Economic Urgency: He reminded the audience that the creative sector is a scalable SME ecosystem that provides millions of jobs for African youth.
The "Make Africa Borderless Now!" Movement
The dialogue coincided with the launch of a continent-wide, people-driven campaign. Organizers are aiming to mobilize 10 million signatures by the 2027 AU Summit to demand:
1. Visa-free travel for all African passport holders.
2. Mobile-money interoperability (buying and selling across borders in local currencies).
3. Open Skies: Fully implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to lower the cost of intra-African flights.
Why This Matters for 2026
With the African entertainment market projected to grow by over 200% by the end of this year, the stakes have never been higher. As Julius Debrah (Chief of Staff) noted during the forum, the "architecture of integration" is mostly built; what remains is the "hard work of execution."
When artists like Mr Eazi and Stonebwoy speak, they aren't just asking for easier travel for themselves—they are advocating for the millions of SMEs, traders, and young creatives who are the heartbeat of Africa's $3.4 trillion single market.