A Review of the Human Trafficking and the Opening Up of Borders in Africa

Africa Continental Free Trade Area is meant to enhance interdependence, connectivity, and integration on a global level and leads to increased economic prosperity and opportunities in emerging economies. However, its benefits are not without faults. The shortcomings include human trafficking and drug trafficking. Based on desktop research, this paper examines the relationship between the opening of borders in Africa and human trafficking. Meanwhile, Africa is heading for a continental free trade area, the world’s most shameful crimes of trade in humans persist. The inhumane trade in human robs vulnerable and jobless Africans of their dignity while they strive to make ends meet. Opening of borders and the porousness of the frontiers complicates mechanism for combating crimes related to human trafficking. As well, lack of political will compounds on the problem of regulating the crimes. This paper offers recommendations to combat the problems of human trafficking while maintaining the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.