New York / Lagos – September 21, 2026
DDNewsOnline
African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called on African countries to move beyond exporting raw materials and accelerate industrialisation by building stronger value chains within the continent.
Youssouf made the call on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) high-level event, “Unstoppable Africa 2026,” held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he was joined by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
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“Our ambition must now match this potential,” Youssouf said, highlighting Africa’s natural resources, youthful population and market of about 1.5 billion people.
He said the African Continental Free Trade Area was essential for removing tariff and non-tariff barriers but argued that Africa must go further by moving “from exporting resources to adding value within Africa.”
The broader discussions at the event highlighted the need for Africa to process more of the raw materials it produces, including critical minerals and crude oil, and develop local manufacturing and value chains to retain more economic value and create jobs on the continent.
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According to Youssouf, industrial transformation would require affordable and reliable energy, quality infrastructure, skills, technology, access to capital, and effective standards and certification.
He also called for stronger regional and continental transport corridors to improve connectivity and intra-African trade, while urging better mobilisation of African savings, bank deposits, insurance and pension funds for productive investment.
“The message is clear: Africa must invest in Africa,” Youssouf said, adding that the continent’s goal should be a prosperous, integrated and self-sustaining economy driven by African value creation.
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The GABI event brought together African leaders, chief executives, investors and innovators to discuss investment, infrastructure and ways to retain more economic value and wealth within the continent.
The event continues today, Monday, September 21, with sessions focused on digital transformation, creative industries and sport.
By Onabanjo Boluwatife Ifeoluwa
boluwatifeonabanjo3@gmail.com