#UNGA81 AUC Chairperson was joined by UNSG at Global Africa Business Initiative

On the margins of #UNGA81, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission was joined by the UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres at the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) high-level event, "Unstoppable Africa 2026: Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future", where they gave keynote address.

In his address, the Chairperson underscored Africa's immense opportunities, abundant natural resources, youthful population & market of 1.5 billion people. "Our ambition must now match this potential," he said.

He emphasised the need to move beyond the export of raw materials & accelerate Africa's industrial transformation through stronger African value chains.

"Removing tariff & non-tariff barriers through the African Continental Free Trade Area is essential, but not enough. Africa must move from market access to market power, from fragmented trade hubs to an integrated continental market, and from exporting resources to adding value within Africa," he added.

Mr. Youssouf further underscored that transformation requires affordable & abundant energy, quality, infrastructure, skills and technology, access to capital, & effective standards & certification. Above all, Africa must address the challenge of capital mobilisation by better channelling its significant financial resources; including savings, bank deposits, insurance & pension funds into productive investment across the continent.

He also called for accelerated development of regional & continental corridors to strengthen connectivity & intra-African trade, alongside a conducive investment climate supported by sound institutions, effective regulation & good governance.

Peace & stability remain fundamental prerequisites for investment & development. The AU is therefore advancing reforms in conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding & post-conflict reconstruction.

"The message is clear: Africa must invest in Africa." #GABI & #UnstoppableAfrica provide important platforms to translate ambition into action & mobilise collective resources for transformation.

The Chairperson concluded by saying that our shared objective must be a prosperous, integrated & self-sustaining Africa driven by African value creation & empowered by African agency.

The event brought together Heads of State and Government, CEOs, investors and innovators to discuss Africa's economic potential, launch investment vehicles and advance infrastructure that keeps value and wealth on the continent.