The Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) Advisory Council, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has called on African leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps toward achieving the continent’s aspirations for prosperity and unity.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogue on Monday, January 30, 2025, Dr. Dlamini Zuma emphasized that the time for talk is over and urged leaders to take decisive action.

“Today, we focus on the principles of transformation as we deliberate on shaping the future of our continent.

The theme for this year, ‘Delivering Africa’s Single Market through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, and Integrate,’ is not just an idea but a call to action,” she stated.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma stressed that Africa’s economic transformation is not merely an abstract vision but a generational mandate to create prosperity and unlock opportunities for all Africans.

She underscored the urgency of breaking free from economic constraints that have long hindered the continent’s development.

“To realize this vision, we must invest in connectivity and integration.

Infrastructure is the lifeblood of any economy—it includes roads, railways, airways, and ports that connect villages to cities and, more importantly, link our countries together.

But even more critical is energy infrastructure, which powers industries and drives growth,” she noted.

She highlighted energy self-sufficiency as the foundation for Africa’s economic strength, emphasizing its role in industrialization and the continent’s ability to compete globally.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma also called for a shift away from raw material exports, urging African nations to process and add value to their natural resources.

“Africa cannot afford to simply export raw materials.

We must unlock the potential of our ocean economy and manufacture the ships that will propel us forward. We must stop exporting unprocessed minerals and begin benefiting from the full value of our resources,” she asserted.

She further stated that by refining and processing its own minerals, Africa could become a price-setter rather than a price-taker, ensuring that wealth remains within the continent to create jobs and foster economic growth.

With Africa at a critical crossroads, Dr. Dlamini Zuma urged leaders to act with urgency in implementing policies that will drive infrastructure development, industrialization, and economic integration, ultimately positioning Africa as a global economic powerhouse.