NEW YORK, Sept 20 – African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for a stronger focus on industrialization, intra-African trade and domestic capital mobilization as Africa seeks to capture more value from its resources and expanding markets.
Speaking alongside United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the Global Africa Business Initiative’s (GABI) high-level Unstoppable Africa 2026 event in New York, Youssouf highlighted Africa’s natural resources, youthful population and market of about 1.5 billion people as major foundations for economic transformation. The event is being held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly under the theme, “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future.”
The AU Commission chairperson said Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and accelerate industrial transformation by developing stronger value chains within the continent. “Our ambition must now match this potential,” Youssouf said.
He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains critical to reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, but argued that market access alone would not be sufficient.
“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 said.
Youssouf identified affordable and reliable energy, quality infrastructure, skills, technology, access to capital, and effective standards and certification as key requirements for industrial development.
He also pointed to capital mobilisation as a major priority, calling for Africa to make better use of financial resources already held within its economies, including savings, bank deposits, insurance assets and pension funds, by directing more of them toward productive investment.
The AU Commission chairperson further called for faster development of regional and continental transport corridors to improve connectivity and support intra-African trade. He linked this to the need for a stronger investment environment supported by sound institutions, effective regulation and good governance.
Peace and stability, he added, remain fundamental to investment and economic development. The African Union is therefore advancing reforms focused on conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction.
“The message is clear: Africa must invest in Africa,” Youssouf said.
The remarks come as Unstoppable Africa 2026 brings together heads of state, CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs and other decision-makers in New York to advance investment, business expansion and cross-border partnerships across the continent. GABI says this year’s edition is focused on transactions, investment vehicles and infrastructure designed to retain more value within African economies.
Youssouf said GABI and Unstoppable Africa provide platforms for translating Africa’s economic ambitions into investment and practical action.
He concluded that the objective should be a more prosperous, integrated and self-sustaining Africa built around African value creation and greater African economic agency.
