President Mahama Urges African Governments to Partner with Private Sector for Industrialization
President John Dramani Mahama, has called on African governments to collaborate closely with the private sector to accelerate industrialization and economic growth across the continent.
Speaking at Day 3 and the final session of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025, President Mahama emphasized the need for special economic zones (SEZs) that foster manufacturing, innovation, and job creation.
He further highlighted the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa’s economic development, stressing the importance of improving access to finance for these businesses.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economies, and they need financial support to scale up and drive industrial transformation,” he stated.
President Mahama also underscored the necessity of investing in technical and vocational education to equip Africa’s youth with skills for future industries.
“Industrialization cannot thrive without a skilled workforce. Governments must prioritize education and training tailored to the needs of modern industries,” he added.
Additionally, he advocated for greater investment in research and development (R&D) to support homegrown innovations.
“Technology has the power to make Africa more competitive if we embrace it strategically,” he noted.
President Mahama also urged African governments to promote fintech and e-commerce, emphasizing their potential to facilitate trade and economic participation across borders.
His remarks align with the broader agenda of the AfCFTA, which seeks to position Africa as a competitive global economic bloc through enhanced trade, industrialization, and digital transformation.
