The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has stressed the need for Africa to unite, warning that fragmentation could slow the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She made this known at the Africa Prosperity Network Dialogue in Accra on February 4, 2026.

Here are some major highlights from her speech.

Africa must unite

The vice president noted that that unity is critical in achieving the goals of The African Continental Free Trade Area.

She clarified that this call for unity is not about erasing sovereignty but organizing it to serve shared prosperity across the continent.

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People are Africa’s greatest asset

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said Africa’s youth, women, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are central to the continent’s development and innovation.

She explained that investing in people is key to unlocking Africa’s full potential.

"Our greatest asset remains our people. For that reason, this conference should be remembered for what was discussed, what was launched, what was committed to, and ultimately what was delivered,” she remarked.

Africa is one connected market

The vice president urged entrepreneurs and manufacturers to view Africa not as a fragmented collection of countries, but as a single, connected market full of opportunities.

AfCFTA is a historic opportunity

She described AfCFTA as the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, representing a market of 1.3 billion people. According to her, this agreement offers immense potential for trade, investment, and industrial growth across Africa.

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Youth and women empowerment

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that fewer than 20% of SMEs engage in export trade, she stressed the importance of supporting young people and women with access to capital, skills, and institutional support to fully participate in cross-border trade.

"Women continue to face unequal barriers to finance mobility and market access. Many young people still lack the capital, skills, pathways and institutional support needed to scale their ideas across borders", she noted.

Move from dependency to self-reliance

She called for Africa to shift from exporting raw materials and importing finished goods to building prosperity at home, creating sustainable economic growth that benefits all Africans.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said Africa’s prosperity lies in the unity of its people.

JKB/AM

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