Programme

The acceleration of the economic and social development of the African continent requires a combination of solutions and action levers. Among these, increasing the potential of the manufacturing sector in order to achieve true industrialization of economies is crucial. It is also essential to capitalize on natural resources for sustainable exploitation that creates local value. Additionally, focusing on innovation offers significant potential to enable a leapfrog in economic development.

One of the major strategic challenges lies in strengthening partnerships between various actors, whether they are private, public, or institutional. The private sector plays a driving role in economic growth, but this requires multiplying interactions among its actors. Simultaneously, the public sector, through its ability to regulate and stimulate the economy, must enhance public-private collaboration and perhaps better understand reciprocal needs.

Africa increasingly integrates into globalization and the interconnection of its economies with other continents, primarily Europe. It is therefore imperative to renew the Africa-Europe partnership by focusing on the complementarity of needs as well as medium- to long-term strategies between the two continents.

Thus, how can the private sector and the public sector collaborate effectively to stimulate industrialization, innovation, and local value creation in Africa? To what extent can the strengthening of the Africa-Europe partnership address the strategic needs of both continents in a context of redefined globalization?

While Africa still largely relies on food imports to satisfy the increasing demands of its populations, shifting towards a local agro-industry is more critical than ever. Large-scale agricultural operations are central to this transformation, yet they encounter significant challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, high logistical costs, reliance on foreign products like fertilizers, and volatile energy prices.
Developing modern infrastructure, accessing financing, and adopting technological innovations are essential strategies for achieving this transition, which also requires reconsidering crop adaptation in response to climate change disruptions. Public-private partnerships are crucial for fostering the creation of local value chains, while also enhancing resilience to energy and climate crises.
In this context, how can players from the agro-industrial sector not only satisfy domestic food needs but also strengthen their resilience against global crises?

The health sector in Africa has undergone significant transformation in recent years, driven by a growing demand for healthcare services due to demographic and economic growth. Despite ongoing challenges related to infrastructure, care for vulnerable populations, and human capital, the health sector is now seen as a field rich in investment opportunities and a catalyst for economic growth.

National and international investments in health, supported by favorable public policies and public-private partnerships, play a key role in this transformation. The private sector, in particular, is viewed as a crucial catalyst for improving healthcare delivery and stimulating innovation in the health field.

Thus, how can the private sector further collaborate with African governments to improve healthcare infrastructure and services, and in which manner can the economic impact of health investments be maximized?

Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Africa, such as music, fashion, or fast-growing sub-niches like video games and e-sports, have significant economic potential on the continent, estimated at $4.2 billion by the IFC. Supported by the continuing growth of digital markets, CCIs have a major leverage effect on the economy by creating jobs, attracting tourism, or developing local talent, with the film industry serving as a prime example and positioning countries such as Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Congo as key global cultural hubs.

The rapid expansion of the CCIs sector, coupled with the increasing demand for locally produced creative content across the continent, is driving private investments and fostering collaborative synergies across Africa in a highly competitive landscape dominated by global giants. To effectively harness this potential, genuine support from both public and private sectors is essential. This includes initiatives to formalise the industry, provide technical and material assistance, as well as protect intellectual property rights—critical steps towards establishing CCIs as key drivers of development on the continent.

What innovative partnership strategies could be implemented to mobilise the necessary execution and funding capabilities in response to the growing demand for local creative products and content on the continent, and how can they be further exported to international markets?

The quest for energy sovereignty in Africa is increasingly framed within a sustainable development context, aiming to reduce dependence on energy imports and to maximize the use of the continent’s natural resources. This approach is crucial for ensuring sustained economic growth while minimizing the ecological footprint. With a considerable potential in renewable energies such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, as well as conventional energy sources, Africa has the capacity to transform its energy landscape in a sustainable and autonomous manner.

The African continent, rich in natural resources, has often struggled with the challenge of exporting raw materials without adding value locally. However, the era of energy transition presents a unique opportunity for Africa to become a global leader in energy production, particularly in renewables. African governments, in collaboration with the private sector and international partners, are increasingly investing in innovative energy infrastructure throughout the entire supply chain of energy production and distribution.

What are the main levers to achieve energy sovereignty in Africa while supporting sustainable development? How can Africa fully exploit its renewable energy potential?

The rapid urbanisation of Africa, which has seen its urban population grow from 27 million to 587 million inhabitants between 1950 and 2020, presents both considerable challenges and significant opportunities. This trend is expected to continue, with the African population projected to reach approximately 2.4 billion inhabitants by 2050, representing a quarter of the world’s population.

This urbanisation constitutes a potential driver of economic transformation by stimulating growth, generating jobs, and fostering the development of new infrastructure. However, this rapid expansion requires urban planning and sustainable management to fully harness its benefits and minimize its negative impacts.

Financing remains a major obstacle, with the annual financing gap for urban infrastructure in Africa estimated at $108 billion. This shortfall necessitates an increase in cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as an effective mobilisation of local and international resources. Additionally, South-South cooperation is essential for sharing best practices and developing urban models tailored to African specificities.

How can African cities adapt to rapid urbanisation while preserving natural resources, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development, in order to transform urbanisation into a genuine economic opportunity?

Africa is experiencing a sustained demographic growth and a rapid increase in consumption. This dynamic is leading to a constant increase in the volumes of goods and services being imported and exported, primarily via maritime and air transport, with forecasts predicting continued growth in the coming years. The modernisation of logistical infrastructure is crucial for the economic transformation of the continent, competitiveness, industrialisation, and economic integration.

To consolidate the continent’s position in global trade, private operators, African states, and donors are attempting to accelerate the deployment of port, rail, and road infrastructure, along with peri-urban logistical zones, in order to coordinate efforts in providing the continent with more world-class hubs.

What are the strategic levers to further structure logistics in Africa and integrate the continent into global supply chains, while sustainably strengthening intra-African trade? How can port, rail, and road infrastructures be developed and modernised in a coordinated manner to address the continent’s logistical challenges?

The development of human capital and innovation is crucial for the industrialisation of Africa. The continent must not only invest in its digital infrastructure but also strengthen its educational systems to train talent who are able to meet the growing demand for technical and technological skills. The integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, can boost the productivity and efficiency of African businesses, but this requires a concerted effort to overcome the current challenges.

The private sector remains the main driver of initiatives for the adoption of AI, as well as for vocational training programs. Nevertheless, such momentum needs to be further supported and boosted by national plans of African states

What strategies can be deployed to encourage local technological innovation and promote vocational training in support of economic development in Africa?