Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has called on the developing world, to work together to find innovative ways to advance an alternative economic order that supports development.
Addressing the Ugandan parliament during his state visit, Zuma said this would ensure a better quality of life for all Africans.
"A more integrated and economically organised Africa is good for our collective economies and livelihood of our peoples," he said.
Zuma called on African leaders to seek an economic unity that surpasses borders that were laid down during the colonial era, adding that common markets were far more effective at bringing countries together than common declarations.
He said Africans should be able to invest in each other's economies and draw on each other's skills and expertise.
"We have to overcome lines drawn on a map; lines that reflect more the differences between the nations of 19th century Europe than between the peoples of today's Africa," Zuma said.
Zuma said the continent was rich in minerals, produce and people, yet it remained very poor.
Zuma added: "It is only by uniting our peoples, by pooling our resources and combining our efforts that we will overcome this devastating legacy."
