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Story by George Yawson Vineh
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 was officially launched at the Malabo Leadership Breakfast Meeting, bringing together over 500 of Africa’s most influential political and business leaders on the sidelines of the African Union’s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting. The historic gathering, held under the theme “Financing and Facilitating the Movement of People, Goods and Services Across Africa”, marked a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey towards economic integration and shared prosperity.
The launch event was graced by an exceptional assembly of continental leadership, including His Excellency President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of Gabon, His Excellency Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi, Head of State of the State of Libya, and His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, as well as H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The gathering also featured Madam Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Advisory Council Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Network, alongside ministers of state, heads of regional economic blocs, development finance institutions, and Africa’s leading business executives.
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson, African Union Commission, expressed his gratitude to the Africa Prosperity Network and Invest Equatorial Guinea for putting together such an important meeting ahead of the 7th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and highlighted the challenging global environment, noting that protectionist measures have created “the greatest rupture of the international trade order since the end of the Second World War.” He outlined the consequences for Africa: “The internet has lowered its economic growth forecast from 4.2% to 3.8% for the year 2025.
These measures are likely to cause the volatility of the prices of raw materials, increase the costs of employment and limit access to financing on the international financial market.”
Referencing the continental vision, he stated: “We had the ambition, Madam Zuma, by deciding that for 2063, Africa must be a developed continent. And for this, we had to create the conditions for an economic growth of 7% every year over 50 years.
Unfortunately, we have achieved only 4%. During the period of 2013-2023, we were behind. To compensate for this delay, we will now need a growth rate of 8% per year over the period of 2024-2063.”
The Chairperson outlined six critical corridors for regional integration, including the East Africa corridor, the West Africa corridor, the Central Africa corridor, the North-South Africa corridor, the Trans-Saharan Africa corridor and the Maritime corridor, a newly proposed plan to connect island states to the continent.
H.E. Ali Youssouf also outlined 5 Sectoral Infrastructure Priorities:
Transport Infrastructure: “The means of commuting, such as roads, railways and sea routes. These are the relevant pillars of African trade. I emphasise the urgent realisation of the African network of high-speed trains.”
Energy Infrastructure: “Access to reliable, competitive, sustainable and vital energy to support our industries and trade exchanges,” with a comprehensive energy classification including electricity, nuclear, gas, solar, coal, fuel, wind, and geothermal sources.
Digital Infrastructure: “Our continent must not remain on the verge of the digital revolution at this age of artificial intelligence.”
Aviation Infrastructure: Emphasising “the importance of making the unique market of maritime air transport effective” through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Financial Infrastructure: Highlighting the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the need for enhanced capitalisation of development banks.
Madam Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – Advisory Council