African countries have been urged to deepen regional integration and accelerate industrialisation by investing in value addition, strengthening regional supply chains and creating a business environment that attracts long-term investment.
The call emerged from the 9th Joint Meeting of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the 5th Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, which opened on July 24, 2026, in Abidjan.
Tanzania was represented by Deputy Minister for Finance Eng. Mshamu Ali Munde, who led the country's delegation on behalf of Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar.
The meeting is examining policy measures aimed at accelerating economic integration and industrial development as African countries seek to reduce their dependence on raw commodity exports and expand domestic manufacturing.
Delegates stressed that the continent should prioritise processing its abundant agricultural produce, minerals and other natural resources locally to increase export earnings, create jobs and strengthen regional value chains.
They noted that Africa's vast natural resources, fertile agricultural land, strategic mineral reserves and growing youthful population provide a strong foundation for the continent to emerge as a competitive global manufacturing and trading hub.
The ministers also highlighted the need to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, improve the governance of natural resources and curb tax evasion to help bridge the financing gap for infrastructure and industrial development.
Discussions further underscored the importance of building resilient financial systems capable of providing affordable long-term capital, reducing borrowing costs and encouraging greater private sector participation in financing industrial projects.
The meeting is expected to inform future African Union policy decisions aimed at advancing economic transformation, regional integration and sustainable industrial growth across the continent.
