Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, asserts that the economic future of Africa is contingent upon enhanced regional integration, which is essential for achieving sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
In her keynote address at the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues, Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that the effectiveness of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) relies on improved connectivity, infrastructure advancements, and cohesive policy frameworks among member nations.
She called upon African leaders to focus on investments that dismantle trade barriers, promote industrialization, and establish a cohesive market capable of competing on a global stage.
“Africa’s disjointed market poses a considerable obstacle to our economic potential. With a population of 1.4 billion and a combined GDP exceeding 3.4 trillion, a substantial portion of this potential remains untapped and will persist if our markets remain fragmented. Integration is not merely a theoretical idea; it is crucial for our collective future,” she stated.
Furthermore, she remarked, “By eliminating barriers and establishing a unified market, we can unlock vast opportunities, generate employment for our youth, and consequently lift millions out of poverty.”
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, also urged African leaders to fully leverage the advantages of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to stimulate economic growth and foster a more competitive single market.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area is not just a theoretical policy framework; it represents a generational imperative to unify our economies and facilitate trade, thereby unlocking prosperity for all Africans. It is the key that will liberate us from the economic constraints that have long kept Africa underdeveloped,” she added.
At the same time, during informal discussions at the event, Stephen Blewett, the CEO of MTN Ghana, emphasized the vital importance of digital payments in promoting financial inclusion and facilitating smooth trade throughout the continent.
