Tanzania’s Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has urged African nations to draw important lessons from ongoing global conflicts by strengthening regional integration and fast-tracking joint infrastructure and transport projects that connect the continent.
Speaking during the closing session of a high-level dialogue of African and Caribbean leaders at the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dr. Mpango said the continent must take concrete steps to build resilient economies that can withstand global shocks.
“The turbulence facing the global economy should be a wake-up call for Africa. It is time we reinforce unity and implement regional projects that support trade, connectivity, and self-reliance,” Dr. Mpango said.
He emphasized the need to address food inflation, promote food security, and reduce Africa’s overdependence on imported goods.
“We must control the rising cost of food and ensure our countries are producing what they consume,” he added.
The Vice President also highlighted energy as a critical driver of economic transformation, calling for collaborative efforts to stabilize energy prices and promote access to affordable and sustainable power across the continent.
“Our economies cannot thrive without reliable energy. African countries must cooperate to control energy costs and invest in long-term solutions,” he said.
Dr. Mpango further called for deliberate investments in the continent’s youth, urging leaders to equip young people with leadership skills and create opportunities for them to take part in shaping Africa’s future.
“Africa’s greatest asset is its youth. We must empower them, prepare them for leadership, and integrate them into national and regional development agendas,” he stressed.
The 32nd Afreximbank meeting has brought together more than 6,000 participants, including Heads of State and Government, ministers, central bank governors, policy makers, business leaders, and development partners.
Established in 1993, Afreximbank is a pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to promote and finance intra- and extra-African trade.
It plays a pivotal role in supporting businesses and funding strategic development projects across the continent.
