Africa Seeks Investment, Not Sympathy – Mahama
President calls for industrialisation-driven partnerships and stronger global economic cooperation at Africa Debate.
- Mahama says Africa seeks investment, not sympathy
- Calls for shift toward industrialisation and value addition
- Highlights AfCFTA as key driver of African economic integration
President John Dramani Mahama has urged a reset in the global community’s engagement with Africa, emphasizing that the continent is seeking investment-driven partnerships rather than sympathy as it pursues industrial growth and economic transformation.
Speaking at the 12th Africa Debate on Wednesday, June 3, President Mahama said Africa is increasingly leveraging its natural resources and expanding economic potential to drive long-term development.
He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major catalyst for growth, describing it as the world’s largest free trade zone with immense potential to boost industrialisation, intra-African trade, and economic integration.
According to him, Africa’s development journey is already underway, noting that the continent continues to demonstrate resilience and steady growth despite global economic challenges.
The President stressed that Africa must no longer remain a supplier of raw materials to industrialised economies, but instead focus on value addition, manufacturing, and innovation-led development.
“Even amid global uncertainty, Africa continues to demonstrate resilience and growth. While many advanced economies struggle with stagnation, Africa remains one of the world’s fastest growing regions. But let me also state clearly, Africa does not seek sympathy,” he said.
He added that future global partnerships must be based on industrialisation, technology transfer, infrastructure development, skills training, and shared prosperity.
“The future relationship between Africa and the world must be built on value addition, on industrialisation, technology transfer, infrastructure investment, skills development and a shared prosperity,” he stated.
President Mahama further pointed to Ghana as an example of how reform-driven leadership and national purpose can support meaningful transformation and economic progress.
