President William Ruto has urged African nations to eliminate barriers and embrace integration for their collective prosperity.

Speaking at the launch of the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) report on the Status of Migration in East and the Horn of Africa in Nairobi, the President emphasized the need to remove barriers to the movement of people, goods, and services across borders.

According to President Ruto, political boundaries are outdated and serve only to hinder development and promote division in the region.

"We must bring down these barriers, convert them to stepping stones and build bridges of friendship," Ruto said.

"That is how we can integrate and exploit our socio-economic diversity for our success."

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He urged African nations to convert these barriers into stepping stones and build bridges of friendship in order to promote free movement of factors of production across the continent.

The President also noted that unrestricted movement across borders would facilitate intra-African trade and services, thereby promoting wealth creation.

He further highlighted the importance of effectively managing migration issues in the continent, which would enable African nations to take care of the needs of migrants while also promoting gender inclusion to empower women.

"It helps us to take care of the needs of migrants and integrate gender inclusion in order to promote equality and empower women," the president said.

Several high-ranking officials, including the IOM Regional Director Mohammed Abdiker, IGAD Head of Mission to Kenya Fatuma Adan, EAC Secretary General Peter Mutuku, Somalia Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Isak Mursal, Ethiopia Minister of Labour and Skills Muferihat Ahmed, Uganda Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hilary Onek, among others attendend the launch of the IOM report.

As African nations continue to face numerous socio-economic challenges, President Ruto's call for integration and the elimination of barriers is a welcome one.

It is hoped that leaders across the continent will heed his call and work towards creating a more united, prosperous Africa.