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The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025, held from January 30 to February 1 at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana, convened leaders from across the continent to discuss strategies for economic integration and development.

Under the theme “Delivering Africa’s Single Market through Infrastructure: Invest. Connect. Integrate.” the event emphasizes the critical role of infrastructure in facilitating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and fostering shared prosperity.

On the third day of the conference, the Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, presented a comprehensive vision for enhancing Africa’s infrastructure to stimulate trade, economic integration, and job creation.

He highlighted the AfCFTA’s potential to increase Africa’s exports to $550 billion by 2035, with significant growth anticipated in the manufacturing sector. This expansion is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities for the continent’s youth and lead to wage increases for both skilled and unskilled workers.

Ayariga emphasizes that achieving these goals requires the development of robust infrastructure to enable the seamless movement of capital, goods, and services across African borders. He advocated for the establishment of common currencies, integrated mobile communication networks, and strong national security measures to protect investments.

To overcome existing infrastructure challenges, Ayariga called for the creation of clear, consistent, and transparent legal frameworks at the national level. Such frameworks would foster favorable business environments, offer incentives to investors, and streamline regulatory processes for infrastructure projects.

Recognizing that governments cannot bear the financial burden alone, Ayariga underscored the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in financing infrastructure. He cited the role of continental development finance institutions, such as the African Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation, in mobilizing resources and providing funding for infrastructure initiatives.

Addressing the issue of corruption, Ayariga noted its detrimental impact on infrastructure development, including fund misappropriation, inefficient project management, and inflated costs. He advocated for legislative measures to combat corruption and attract essential investment.

Looking forward, Ayariga proposed the establishment of a continental infrastructure fund, modeled after the ECOWAS Levy, to finance regional infrastructure and security projects. He also called for increased collaboration among African nations to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices, as well as engagement with international partners to secure funding, technology, and capacity-building support.

Ayariga’s address highlighted the collective responsibility of African countries to work together in unlocking the continent’s single market potential through strategic infrastructure development. By addressing legal, financial, and governance challenges, Africa can pave the way for a more integrated, prosperous, and secure future.

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