For the 60th anniversary of the signature of its founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AU has chosen as its theme for 2023, “Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area.” This is a long-overdue and ambitious trade pact aimed at creating a single yet multi-faceted market for broadening cooperative economics and deepening economic integration between the almost 1.3 billion people across communities and countries in Africa. Truth be told, this is more than a theme, it’s a direct threat to western neo-colonialism and neo liberalism that continue to fuel deception and division, disruption and destruction. Moreover, this theme is a call to transition from dependency on aid to deliberately engage in trade! In light of the ongoing instability and inequity from the Sahel to sub-Sahara Africa, intentionality and urgency, creativity and courage must undergird this clarion call towards a kind of UJAMAA for bridging and bonding among continental and global Africans. The spirit of Nelson Mandela implores us, “Its in (y)our hands!” Afterall, “we are the ones we’ve been waiting for!”