Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025 opens in Accra with a call for integration and empowerment

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025 officially commenced today at the Accra International Conference Centre, bringing together 3,000 delegates from 46 countries, including seven African heads of state.

The event, organized by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), focuses on enhancing women’s access to finance, markets, and technology while promoting their participation in business and politics.

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Ghana’s Vice President, H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, who highlighted the event’s theme: “Delivering Africa’s Citizen Markets Through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, Integrate.”

She emphasized the need for collective action to overcome Africa’s fragmented markets, stating, “Integration is not just a theoretical concept; it is a lifeline to our collective future.”

Prof. Agyemang underscored the importance of infrastructure in achieving economic integration, noting that inadequate infrastructure has long hindered Africa’s potential.

She called for a collaborative approach between public and private sectors to bridge the gaps in infrastructure, particularly in transportation and energy systems.

“Removing these impediments is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity,” she asserted.

Gwen Mwamba, Managing Director of the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank), also addressed the attendees, reinforcing the importance of investment in infrastructure as the backbone of economic growth.

“To unlock our potential, we must invest significantly in our infrastructure—our roads, our railways, our ports, and our energy systems,” she stated.

Mwamba highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) as a crucial opportunity for enhancing trade and collaboration across the continent.

Both leaders called for a united effort to harmonize policies and regulations, reduce barriers to trade, and foster a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Prof. Agyemang urged participants to network and collaborate, emphasizing the need for a single African market that benefits all citizens.

As the dialogues unfold over the next few days, the focus will remain on actionable strategies to empower women and promote inclusive economic growth, ensuring that Africa’s journey towards integration and shared prosperity continues.

The APD 2025 serves as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration among leaders from various sectors, aiming to create a more prosperous and interconnected Africa.

Source:Joseph Wemakor

About The Author

Ghana24

See author's posts