In this article, I discuss the need for African social workers to unite if the decolonisation of the social work profession is to be successful. This unity can come through the creation of a strong regional association of social work, which can then promote research, social work regulation and the creation of national associations of social work across Africa – and these can provide the necessary structures for collective action. Such a move will promote unity of purpose and provide a basis for decolonisation. For as long as we are divided, we will continue to lose relevance and recognition.