The recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa continue to raise difficult but important questions about the future of African integration and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

While many observers condemn these attacks as anti-African and contrary to Pan-African ideals, many South Africans argue that their frustrations stem not from hatred of other Africans, but from concerns over illegal immigration, unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services.

This tension reveals a deeper continental challenge: how can Africa promote integration and free movement while also respecting national sovereignty, immigration laws, and domestic economic realities?

Understanding the South African Perspective

South Africa, like every sovereign state, has the legitimate right to regulate immigration, protect its borders, and enforce its laws. Concerns about undocumented migration are not unique to South Africa; many countries globally face similar pressures. A significant number of South Africans believe that irregular migration contributes to job competition, strain on informal markets, rising crime perceptions, and pressure on housing, healthcare, and other public services.

These concerns cannot be dismissed outright. South Africa continues to face extremely high unemployment, particularly among young people, deep inequality, and long-standing economic frustrations. In such conditions, migrants often become visible targets of public anger.

However, a critical distinction must be made between policy concerns and violence. When legitimate concerns about migration translate into mob attacks, collective blame, and hostility toward foreign nationals, the result is xenophobia. Illegal immigration is a governance and law enforcement issue, while xenophobic violence undermines the rule of law, violates human rights, and weakens regional solidarity.

AfCFTA Does Not Mean Open Borders Without Rules

A common misconception about African integration is that AfCFTA promotes unrestricted movement of people across the continent. In reality, the African Continental Free Trade Area is primarily an economic and trade framework designed to:

• Increase intra-African trade

• Promote industrialization

• Strengthen regional value chains

• Enhance investment and business opportunities

AfCFTA does not remove national immigration systems or border controls. African states still retain the authority to regulate entry, work permits, residency, and security procedures. Therefore, supporting African integration does not equate to endorsing unlawful migration.

The real challenge lies in striking a balance between facilitating legal mobility for trade and investment while maintaining security, labour market stability, and regulatory control within member states.

The Threat to African Integration

Despite these clarifications, xenophobic attacks pose a serious threat to the broader African integration agenda. Economic integration is not driven only by treaties and policies, but also by trust among citizens. If Africans fear violence or discrimination in other African countries, confidence in regional integration is weakened.

Small-scale traders, entrepreneurs, transport operators, students, and professionals are key drivers of intra-African economic activity. Many of those affected during xenophobic incidents operate in informal trade and small business sectors—precisely the groups AfCFTA seeks to empower.

Persistent tensions could also discourage progress in areas such as: • Visa liberalization across regions

• Labour mobility agreements

• Cross-border entrepreneurship

• Regional migration frameworks

Such setbacks would slow down the overall ambition of continental economic integration.

The Economic Roots of the Problem

Africa must also confront the structural economic conditions that contribute to migration pressures. High unemployment, poverty, weak industrial bases, and unequal development across countries remain major drivers of movement within the continent.

As long as significant economic disparities persist between African states, migration will continue. AfCFTA was partly designed to address this challenge by creating:

• Expanded employment opportunities

• Stronger regional industries

• Larger integrated markets

• Increased investment flows

• More balanced economic development

If implemented effectively, AfCFTA has the potential to reduce irregular migration pressures over time by improving opportunities within countries of origin and strengthening regional economic stability. The Way Forward

The solution does not lie in choosing between African integration and national sovereignty. Both are necessary and can coexist. What Africa needs is a more balanced and coordinated approach to migration and integration. Key priorities include:

• Strengthening migration governance systems across African states

• Improving border management and documentation systems

• Creating legal and transparent pathways for labour mobility

• Ensuring protection for lawful migrants

• Enforcing immigration laws through institutions rather than allowing vigilante violence

•Expanding job creation and inclusive economic growth across the continent

At the same time, African leaders must invest more in civic education around Pan-Africanism, social cohesion, and responsible migration management. Public understanding of AfCFTA and regional integration remains limited in many countries, which contributes to misunderstanding and misinformation. Conclusion

The xenophobic tensions in South Africa highlight one of the most complex challenges facing African integration today. Concerns about illegal immigration are legitimate governance issues, but violence against fellow Africans threatens the very spirit of continental cooperation that AfCFTA seeks to build.

For African integration to succeed, the continent must strike a careful balance between lawful migration management, economic opportunity, national interests, and Pan-African solidarity. The long-term success of AfCFTA will depend not only on trade agreements and policy frameworks, but also on whether Africans can build trust, shared prosperity, and mutual respect across borders.