President John Dramani Mahama has urged African countries to strengthen domestic production and pursue bold industrial policies to reduce dependency on external markets and improve economic resilience.
Addressing participants at the Accra Reset Davos Convening on Thursday, January 22, the former president said Africa’s future prosperity depends on its ability to produce what it consumes and negotiate its global partnerships from a position of unity.
He warned that without deliberate investment in innovation and competitiveness, Africa risks being sidelined in the fast-changing global economy, especially at a time when millions of young people are seeking meaningful employment.
President Mahama identified skills development as the continent’s most urgent priority, calling for training programmes that respond directly to labour market demands. He urged governments to place stronger emphasis on digital technology, renewable energy, and industrial skills.
The President further advocated deeper regional integration, stating that industrialisation cannot be achieved by individual countries acting alone. He proposed regional manufacturing zones, cross-border energy systems, and shared digital platforms to expand job opportunities and boost productivity.
On global engagement, President Mahama urged African leaders to negotiate collectively on strategic resources, trade policies, and climate financing, arguing that unity would significantly strengthen the continent’s negotiating leverage.
He cautioned that calls for foreign investment would ring hollow without serious domestic reforms.
“We cannot ask the world to invest in us if we tolerate corruption, waste, and systems that don’t work,” he said. “Reset means reform, and reform means results.”
President Mahama concluded by calling on African leaders to hold themselves accountable to citizens whose expectations for progress and opportunity continue to rise.
