Charting a course for African prosperity

AFRICA GROWTH SUMMIT

- MMUSI MAIMANE

OUR world is going through a seismic shift, one not seen for the last three generations and more.

As Africans, we face the world's contemporary challenges: tariff wars, geopolitical uncertainty, regional conflict, and increasing Balkanisation.

The present remains a great paradox for the African continent. On one hand, the moment is fraught with complexity; on the other, it is rich with potential.

We cannot ignore the troubling rise of anti-democratic practices, including intimidation and suppression. Our future cannot be built on democracy under siege.

One area demanding urgent attention is the Horn of Africa.

We are witnessing protracted instability in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, where conflicts have displaced millions. Without peace in the Horn of Africa, the vision of a unified, prosperous continent is incomplete.

Here's what we can do.

First, strengthen regional diplomacy under the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), ensuring African solutions to African problems.

Second, support inclusive governance and peacebuilding, especially where ethnic and political fault lines run deep.

Third, invest in post-conflict reconstruction, enabling economies to recover and communities to rebuild trust.