The forum, centered on the theme "Made in Africa. Trade in Africa," focused on shifting the continent toward local value-added production. Policymakers and financiers from institutions including Afreximbank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa identified agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and mineral processing as primary sectors to drive regional growth. By moving away from import dependence, participants argued that Africa could accelerate industrial development while creating sustainable jobs for a population exceeding 1.3 billion.
Beyond trade, the conversation pivoted to the human element of integration. Gabby Otchere-Darko, founder of the Africa Prosperity Network, championed the #MakeAfricaBorderlessNow campaign, urging the adoption of the Free Movement Protocol. This call to action gained immediate momentum when Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou-N'Guesso announced that his nation will grant visa-free access to all African citizens starting January 1, 2027. Dr. Abdul Kamara, the Bank’s Acting Vice President for Regional Development, stated that future iterations of the forum will serve as a benchmark for tracking progress in infrastructure connectivity and industrial output.
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