President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, has urged African countries to seize current global trade disruptions as a historic opportunity to fast-track economic transformation.
Speaking at the 13th edition of the Confédération générale des entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI) Academy in Abidjan, themed “Economic Sovereignty: Time for Action”, Tah said the continent must move beyond dependence on external markets and begin to strengthen regional value chains.
He stressed that Africa must process more of its abundant raw materials locally, reduce vulnerability to external shocks, and build resilience through green industrialisation.
“For Africa, this is not a threat; it is a historic opportunity to establish a stronger, more integrated, and more resilient local economy,” the AfDB President said.
Tah outlined a four-pillar strategy to unlock Africa’s potential: mobilising large-scale capital, reforming the continent’s financial architecture, accelerating job creation, and developing climate-resilient infrastructure. He emphasised that governments cannot drive the transformation alone, noting that the private sector must take centre stage in shaping Africa’s economic future.
Echoing the call for action, Ivorian Prime Minister Robert Mambé urged African leaders and entrepreneurs to go beyond analysis and adopt bold, decisive policies to achieve true economic sovereignty. He highlighted the importance of building intelligent, dynamic partnerships that leverage Africa’s strengths while addressing structural weaknesses.
Business leaders at the forum, including Ahmed Cissé, President of the CGECI, pledged to collaborate closely with the AfDB and other stakeholders to restore economic sovereignty, boost youth entrepreneurship, and expand intra-African commerce.
