The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have launched a transformative Infrastructure Compact, a bold framework designed to accelerate Africa’s economic integration. This Compact emerged from the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025, which convened from January 30 to February 1 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The high-level gathering attracted over five thousand participants, including African heads of state, business leaders, policymakers, and development partners, all of whom were committed to advancing Africa’s economic development.
Held under the theme “Delivering Africa’s Single Market Through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, and Integrate,” the Dialogues focused on addressing Africa’s pressing infrastructure challenges. It emphasised the urgent need for cross-border connectivity, strategic investments, and harmonized regulations to unlock the full potential of AfCFTA.
The event brought together some of the continent’s most distinguished leaders, including President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo, President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang of Ghana.
Also present were key government officials such as Honourable Ibrahim Boughali, Speaker of the People’s National Assembly of Algeria, Mr. Charles M’ba, Minister of Public Accounts and Debts of Gabon, and Mr. Mark Doumba, Minister of Economy and Participations of Gabon. Other notable figures included AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the APN Advisory Council, Ambassador Édouard Nduwimana, a representative from Burundi, and Mr. Jean-Paul D’offray, a representative from Seychelles.
5-pillar strategy
The newly introduced Infrastructure Compact outlines a five-pillar strategy aimed at dismantling trade barriers, bridging infrastructure gaps, and positioning Africa as a globally competitive economic powerhouse.
The first pillar focuses on transport and logistics integration by prioritizing the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). This initiative seeks to eliminate the 30 to 40 percent cost premium that currently hinders intra-African trade while advancing Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 to enhance port connectivity and efficiency.
The second pillar addresses energy security and power integration by tackling Africa’s longstanding energy reliability crisis, which affects over thirty nations. The framework calls for interconnected power grids and harmonized regional energy policies, with strategic projects such as the Grand Inga Dam receiving particular attention.
The third pillar of the Compact emphasises digital transformation by establishing a five-year roadmap for achieving pan-African mobile system interoperability. This initiative aims to facilitate seamless digital transactions while driving investments in broadband infrastructure, e-commerce platforms, and unified regulatory frameworks to accelerate digital trade. The fourth pillar focuses on healthcare and social infrastructure by strengthening healthcare systems through increased domestic pharmaceutical production and digital health solutions.
Key recommendations include integrating mobile payment and insurance platforms to enhance healthcare accessibility across the continent. The final pillar introduces an innovative Infrastructure Fund, which aims to mobilize two trillion pounds from domestic capital markets. The fund will attract investments from pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds, while also implementing risk mitigation mechanisms to encourage private sector participation.
Leaders push for implementation
Speaking at the summit, President John Dramani Mahama underscored the need for bold action and unity in ensuring that the Compact’s recommendations translate into tangible results. He stressed that the decisions taken at the conference must not remain mere resolutions, but should be implemented with urgency, determination, and a shared vision for Africa’s prosperity.
He called on African leaders to rise to the occasion, break down trade barriers, and build a strong, self-reliant, and globally competitive Africa. Presidents Faure Gnassingbé and Azali Assoumani echoed Mahama’s sentiments and pledged their commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the Compact.
AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, announced that the AfCFTA Transit Guarantee Scheme, set to launch in 2025, would serve as a key policy intervention to facilitate seamless intra-African trade and investment. As part of the closing ceremony, the Africa Trade Torch (ATT) was lit in a symbolic commitment to mainstreaming the benefits of AfCFTA across African communities. This initiative will place special emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, women-led businesses, and youth entrepreneurs.
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma highlighted Ghana’s mobile payment ecosystem as a model that could serve as a blueprint for continent-wide digital financial integration. She emphasized the need for technology-driven solutions in advancing Africa’s economic development. Siding Eltoum, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Prosperity Network, noted that the APD serves as a critical platform for uniting Africans around a shared vision, driving collaborative action, and ensuring that proposed solutions are both practical and impactful.
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