APD26: Gabby challenges Africa to move beyond treaties, into action

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko Esq., Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), has called on African leaders to translate decades of treaties and protocols into concrete action that will open the continent’s sovereignty and economic potential.

He made the call during the Presidential & Business Leaders’ Dialogue, held on Day Three of the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD). The dialogue, held under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women & Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade,” took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Friday, 6th February, 2026.

Mr. Otchere-Darko reflected on Africa’s history of ambitious agreements, including the 1977 Accra meeting that established the Africa Standards Organization and the 1991 Abuja summit that laid the foundation for the Economic Community of Africa. He highlighted that despite these agreements, key milestones, such as the adoption of a single currency, centralized African banking, and customs integration, remain largely unrealized.

“Borders restrict our sovereignty. You cannot have sovereignty when you don’t have economic leverage,” he said, emphasizing that national barriers hinder trade, youth opportunity, and regional prosperity.

He cited the signing of the Free Movement Protocol in Addis Ababa in 2018 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) two months later, noting that only a handful of countries have ratified these agreements.

Mr. Otchere-Darko also warned of the growing youth unemployment crisis. Africa currently has one billion young people, projected to rise to 1.3 billion by 2040.

“Our economy is big enough to create jobs for them, but only if we open our borders and leverage our collective potential,” he said, urging African nations to act decisively to prevent social and economic instability.

He criticized the continent for maintaining barriers while the U.S. and Europe fortify theirs, arguing that Africa’s growing population should be a source of leverage, not limitation. Citing the EU-India free trade agreement, he stressed that Africa’s 1.5 billion-strong population represents enormous untapped economic power.

Otchere-Darko urged leaders to move beyond signing protocols and ensure practical implementation.

“Sovereignty is meaningful only when it gives our citizens dignity. We must act now to create opportunities for our youth, empower entrepreneurs, and build a truly integrated Africa,” he said further.

By: Bawa Musah

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