The Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD) 2025 is set to take place from January 30 to February 1, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, focusing on addressing the continent’s infrastructure deficit as an essential dimension for actualizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This third iteration of the Dialogue, organized by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), is themed “Delivering Africa’s Single Market through Infrastructure: Invest. Integrate. Connect.” The event will gather over 1,000 stakeholders, including business leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs from across Africa, aiming to foster collaboration that supports the establishment of Africa’s largest single market.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, underscored the pressing need for collective action to enhance infrastructure as a foundational element in achieving the continent’s single market ambitions. At a recent prelude Partners’ Cocktail gathering, he championed the idea of uniting resources and expertise across political, business, and thought leadership sectors. This unification is positioned as a pathway to unlocking the continent’s potential in the global market, highlighting that the continent’s wealth must be harnessed more effectively to benefit all Africans.
Infrastructure is recognized as a critical enabler for the success of the AfCFTA, with projections indicating substantial economic potential. In a speech delivered on behalf of AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, the transformative prospects of a fully operational AfCFTA were emphasized, with estimates suggesting a combined market spending of $6.7 trillion by 2030. Mene pointed out that without significant investments in essential infrastructure—such as transport corridors, energy systems, and digital networks—the aspirations of the AfCFTA would remain unfulfilled. He advocated for the private sector’s involvement in driving infrastructure initiatives through public-private partnerships, essential for realizing these ambitious goals.
Energy infrastructure emerged as a key focus area at the APD 2025, with Ghana’s Energy Minister, Herbert Krapa, asserting its crucial role in Africa’s industrialization and economic integration. Krapa urged participants to prioritize discussions surrounding sustainable energy solutions, including the development of solar and hydropower projects, cross-border energy collaborations, and tariff harmonization across nations. He emphasized that securing reliable energy sources is indispensable for the dream of a unified single market to become a reality, highlighting the interconnectedness of energy infrastructure with economic growth.
The importance of global collaboration and financial support for the Dialogues was emphasized through the United Nations’ endorsement of APD 2025. Charles Abani, the UN’s Resident Coordinator in Ghana, articulated the need for sustainability financing, enhanced food systems, digitalization, and intra-African trade to support infrastructure development. He noted that infrastructure is a multifaceted domain, integral not only for connectivity but also vital for job creation, improving livelihoods, and fostering economic stability. Similarly, Commonwealth Secretary General-elect Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey viewed the Dialogues as a transformative moment for Africa, calling for collective action, sustained commitment, and innovation to propel the continent towards its aspirations of economic integration and shared prosperity.
The Africa Prosperity Network, through initiatives like the APD, is committed to creating prosperity by fostering dialogues among policymakers, the private sector, and thought leaders to address pivotal challenges facing the continent. The 2025 Dialogue aims to generate actionable policies and attract investments aimed at closing the infrastructure gap, thereby advancing Africa closer to achieving its AfCFTA objectives. In conclusion, the importance of collaboration across various sectors and stakeholders is vital in unlocking the inherent potential of Africa’s economy, making the upcoming dialogue a significant step in the journey towards a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
