Africa’s Economic Integration and Transformation Dialogue Set for Accra on January 30

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025 will commence on January 30 and run through February 1, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre. Under the theme “Invest, Connect, Integrate,” the event is organized by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The dialogues aim to shape the continent’s next steps in creating a robust single market through infrastructure development and investment.

The high-profile event is expected to host 3,000 participants from 46 countries, including seven Heads of State, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Event Highlights

The event will kick off with a series of breakfast meetings, focusing on critical areas that align with this year’s theme. These sessions reflect the private sector’s pivotal role in leading discussions on AfCFTA’s single-market agenda and exploring opportunities for industry players, including young and women entrepreneurs.

The six key topics to be covered during the breakfast meetings include:

1. Scaling Your Business Through Strategic Technology Investment – Hosted by the Ladies Entrepreneurship Club.
2. Bridging Infrastructure Gaps: Unleashing the Potential of SMEs and Young Entrepreneurs in Africa – Hosted by the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurship (GCYE).
3. International Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) Powering Trade for AfCFTA Roll-Out – Hosted by Africa Law Practice International.
4. Unlocking Finance for Housing and Urban Development – Hosted by the Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB).
5. Exploring Venture Capital and Private Equity Funding Models for Infrastructure – Hosted by ASIME.
6. Accelerating AfCFTA Implementation Through Payments: Leveraging PAPSS for Enhanced Cross-Border Trade in Africa – Hosted by the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

Key Remarks from APD Leaders

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the CEO of APN noted that the structured breakfast meetings underscore the private sector’s commitment to driving AfCFTA’s agenda. He emphasized the growing opportunities for young and women entrepreneurs to thrive under the single-market framework.

Rui Pedro Afonso Livramento, Chief of Staff at the AfCFTA Secretariat, highlighted the significant progress of the AfCFTA since its inception, noting its robust institutional framework and the growth of trade under the Guided Trade Initiative. He stressed that road infrastructure remains a major barrier, hindering transportation and raising trade costs, particularly for SMEs.

“To address this challenge, the AfCFTA Secretariat is promoting the establishment of trade aggregators to integrate SMEs into continental value chains. Ghana, Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa are leading efforts in this regard,” he stated.

Stephanie Diatta, Chief of Partnerships & International Relations at the APN Secretariat, described the annual Africa Prosperity Dialogues as a cornerstone of the continent’s economic integration and transformation.

“This platform has grown to become essential for discussing Africa’s journey toward a fully integrated single market,” she remarked.

The APD 2025 promises to be a transformative event that will push Africa closer to achieving its vision of economic integration and development.

By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline