Africa growth summit: charting a course for African prosperity
Our world is going through a seismic shift, one not seen for the last three generations and more.
As Africans, we face the world's contemporary challenges: tariff wars, geopolitical uncertainty, regional conflict, and increasing Balkanisation.
The present remains a great paradox for the African continent. On one hand, the moment is fraught with complexity; on the other, it is rich with potential.
We cannot ignore the troubling rise of anti-democratic practices, including intimidation and suppression. Our future cannot be built on democracy under siege.
One area demanding urgent attention is the Horn of Africa.
We are witnessing protracted instability in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, where conflicts have displaced millions. Without peace in the Horn of Africa, the vision of a unified, prosperous continent is incomplete.
Here's what we can do.
First, strengthen regional diplomacy under the AU and IGAD, ensuring African solutions to African problems.
Second, support inclusive governance and peacebuilding, especially where ethnic and political fault lines run deep.
Third, invest in post-conflict reconstruction, enabling economies to recover and communities to rebuild trust.
Fourth, and most importantly, protect civilians, empower local peace actors, and ensure peace is more than simply the absence of war. It is the presence of justice, economic opportunity, and political dignity.
We must also be clear-eyed about the geopolitical opportunity before us.
As the world's two largest economies - China and the United States - remain locked in a prolonged tariff war, global change is on the horizon. In this disruption lies Africa's strategic opening.
This is our chance to make our move: position Africa as a stable, neutral trade hub, attract re-routed investment and manufacturing, and accelerate intra-African trade through AfCFTA.
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