Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025 Compact Document Outdoor

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Story by George Yawson Vineh

The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat on February 6 unveiled a groundbreaking Infrastructure Compact, marking a decisive step towards African economic integration. The comprehensive framework emerged from the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025, A gathering of African leaders was held from January 30 to February 1 at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event attracted 5,000 participants, including African heads of state, industry leaders, CEOs, government ministers, policymakers, thought leaders, and development partners.

Under the theme “Delivering Africa’s Single Market Through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, and Integrate,” the summit convened prominent African leaders and policymakers to address critical infrastructure challenges facing the continent.

Some distinguished attendees included:
 H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana (Host)
 H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo
 H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros
 H.E. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of Ghana
 Honourable Ibrahim Boughali, Speaker, People’s National Assembly, Algeria
 Mr Charles M’ba, Minister of Public Accounts and Debts, Gabon
 Mr Mark Doumba, Minister of Economy and Participations, Gabon
 H.E. Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, AfCFTA Secretary-General
 Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, APN Advisory Council Chairperson
 Ambassador Édouard Nduwimana, Representative, Burundi
 Mr Jean-Paul D’offray, Representative, Seychelles

The Infrastructure Compact outlines five transformative pillars for immediate implementation:

Transport and Logistics Integration: The framework prioritises the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and addresses the 30-40% cost premium currently impacting intra-African trade. It advocates for comprehensive air service liberalisation and execution of the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050.

Energy Security and Power Integration: Responding to widespread power reliability challenges affecting over 30 African nations, the Compact emphasises developing interconnected power grids and harmonised regional energy policies, with a special focus on strategic projects like the Grand Inga Dam.

Digital Transformation: The framework establishes a five-year roadmap for achieving pan-African mobile system interoperability, prioritising investments in broadband infrastructure, e-commerce platforms, and unified regulatory frameworks to accelerate digital trade.

Healthcare and Social Infrastructure: Comprehensive recommendations focus on strengthening healthcare systems through increased domestic pharmaceutical production capacity and digital health solutions, including integrated mobile payment and insurance platforms.

Strategic Infrastructure Financing: The Compact introduces an innovative Infrastructure Fund targeting £2 trillion in mobilisation from domestic capital markets, including pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds, supported by streamlined regulations and risk mitigation mechanisms.

Commitment to Action: Leaders Push for Implementation

Emphasising the need for urgent action, President Mahama stated: “The decisions we make at this conference must not end in resolutions alone. We must act with urgency, determination, and a shared vision for prosperity. Let us rise to the occasion, break down the barriers that divide us, and build a strong, self-reliant, and globally competitive Africa.”

Presidents Gnassingbé and Assoumani echoed this commitment, while AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene announced the AfCFTA Transit Guarantee Scheme, set to launch in 2025, as a key step in implementing the Compact’s recommendations.

The summit culminated in the ceremonial lighting of the Africa Trade Torch (ATT), a private sector initiative symbolising the commitment to mainstream AfCFTA benefits across African communities, with particular emphasis on SMEs, women-led enterprises, and youth engagement.

Secretary-General Wamkele Mene announced the imminent launch of the AfCFTA Transit Guarantee Scheme, demonstrating concrete progress towards implementing the Compact’s recommendations. Dr Dlamini Zuma highlighted Ghana’s mobile payment ecosystem as a potential blueprint for continental digital financial integration.

Siding Eltoum, Chief Executive Officer, highlighted This dialogue is crucial in uniting Africans around a shared vision, driving collaborative action, and ensuring our solutions are both practical and impactful.

Towards a Prosperous Africa: APN’s Continued Commitment

As the organising body of APD, the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) remains steadfast in advancing the vision of “Africa We Want” in line with the AU Agenda 2063. Through platforms like the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, APN is driving Africa’s progress through collaboration, innovation, and self-reliance—without dependence on external aid.