President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Sidi Ould Tah, has called for stronger African integration and economic independence.
Tah made the call during the Africa Day celebration held during the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo on Monday.
He said Africa must strengthen cooperation, deepen integration and build stronger institutions to secure its future.
Tah reflected on the creation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 by African leaders in Addis Ababa.
He described the event as a turning point in Africa’s determination to control its political and economic destiny.
According to him, Africa’s founding fathers believed political independence would eventually lead to economic sovereignty.
“The generation of 1963 gave us political independence.
“Our responsibility now is to strengthen Africa’s collective agency through deeper integration and stronger institutions,” he said.
Tah commended President Denis Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, for hosting the AfDB meetings in Brazzaville.
Speaking on this year’s Africa Day theme, Tah described water as critical to Africa’s development, food security and climate resilience.
He said that major African rivers had historically connected communities and economies across the continent.
The AfDB president also expressed concern that millions of Africans still lacked access to safe drinking water.
He urged African countries to continue promoting cooperation and collective development in spite global economic and political challenges.
Similarly, Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, called for greater African unity, peace and investment in education to secure the continent’s future.
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Ndayishimiye said Africa must strengthen solidarity, accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and push for reforms in global governance institutions.
The AU Chairperson said Africa’s admission into the G20 reflected the continent’s growing importance in global affairs.
He also renewed calls for reform of the United Nations Security Council to give Africa fair and permanent representation.
Ndayishimiye expressed concern over conflicts, terrorism, climate-related disasters and humanitarian crises affecting millions across the continent.
He stressed that education must remain a priority, including for children living in refugee and internally displaced persons camps.
“An African child denied access to education today is a part of Africa’s future that we are abandoning tomorrow,” Ndayishimiye said.
He urged African leaders to prioritise unity, integration and sustainable development in line with Agenda 2063.
