By Bright Philip Donkor
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) Advisory Council, has urged African leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps toward realizing the continent’s long-held aspirations for prosperity and unity.
In her welcome address at official opening ceremony of the Africa Prosperity Dialogue 2025 on Monday 30th January 2025, she said the time for talk is over, and now is the moment for decisive action.
“Today, we focus on the principles of transformation as we deliberate on shaping the future of our continent. The theme for this year, “Delivering Africa’s Single Market through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, and Integrate,” is not just an idea but a call to action.
According to her, the African continent is not merely a region with a potential framework; it is a generational mandate to transform our economies, facilitate prosperity, and unlock opportunities for all Africans.
She indicated that this vision was the key to freeing Africa from the economic chains that had bound it for too long.
“To realize this vision, we must invest in connectivity and integration. Infrastructure is the lifeblood of any economy. It encompasses roads, railways, airways, and ports that connect our villages to our cities, and more importantly, link our countries together. But even more critical is the need for energy infrastructure because it powers our industries and drives our growth. Energy is the foundation of self-sufficiency, enabling us to thrive in global markets and unite Africa as one force.
“Africa cannot afford to simply export raw materials. We must unlock the potential of our ocean economy and manufacture the ships that will propel us forward. We must stop exporting unprocessed minerals and begin benefiting from the full value of our resources. This will make us price-setters, not price-takers. Beneficiating our minerals means that the wealth generated will remain within Africa, providing jobs and fostering economic growth,” she added
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Well spoken, madam! What you said is exactly what Africa needs and I hope our leaders will listen and operationalize it to make Africa develop.