Ndejembi: Africa must accelerate intergration

EGYPT: VICE-PRESIDENT Deogratius Ndejembi has called on African countries to accelerate the integration of transport, energy and digital infrastructure to boost trade, strengthen value chains while building a resilient continental economy capable of withstanding global shocks.

Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Mr Ndejembi made the call yesterday during the eighth meeting of the African Union (AU) Committee of Heads of State and Government in El Alamein, Egypt.

“The economic shocks that have affected Africa and the world this year have, to a large extent, posed challenges to African integration and demonstrated the importance of accelerating industrialisation, strengthening regional value chains and increasing trade among African countries,” he said.

He said infrastructure challenges and shortages had also emerged in the value chains of essential commodities such as food and fertiliser, requiring African countries to take joint and urgent action. Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania would continue to play its part by strengthening transport infrastructure, improving transport services and facilitating payment systems to stimulate trade.

“Tanzania is taking various measures to strengthen integration within the East African Community, including upgrading the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), constructing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Tanzania with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as improving ports and air transport infrastructure,” he said.

He said Tanzania was also implementing electricity transmission projects aimed at linking the East African Power Pool (EAPP) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), alongside joint power generation projects with Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.

“These measures will help accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), speed up integration and strengthen the continent’s capacity to withstand economic shocks and disruptions to supply chains,” he said.

Mr Ndejembi also announced that Tanzania intends to propose “Bridging Borders: Accelerating African Economic Integration through Infrastructure Connectivity” as the AU theme for 2028. He said the proposal was aimed at providing greater political momentum to transport, energy and digital infrastructure connecting African countries, while improving cross-border trade systems, reducing transport costs and attracting investment in infrastructure between countries.

“The proposed theme will also support implementation of Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA, while strengthening industrialisation and regional value chains,” he said.

The Vice-President said Africa also needed a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for the effective use of its resources, which would be critical in financing major regional and continental projects capable of delivering sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth.

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He clarified that Tanzania was not proposing the creation of a new programme or institution, but seeking to provide fresh political momentum and joint action in implementing plans that Africa had already established.

“The continent already has the policies, frameworks and institutions required to advance integration. The task now is to accelerate implementation, strengthen coordination and mobilise the resources needed to turn existing commitments into tangible results for citizens and African economies,” he said.

Mr Ndejembi said recent global challenges should give Africa renewed impetus to implement its vision and objectives, adding that stronger continental integration would build solidarity, shared prosperity and the economic strength of African countries.

“The recent challenges that have emerged globally should give Africa renewed impetus to implement its vision and objectives. Strengthening African integration will build solidarity, shared prosperity and the economic strength of African countries,” he said.

The eighth meeting of the AU Committee of Heads of State and Government was opened by AU Chairperson and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye and attended by leaders from 15 African countries, as well as representatives of international organisations and institutions.

The meeting focused on accelerating African integration and implementation of Agenda 2063, with leaders highlighting the need to connect markets, infrastructure, production and security to ensure that Africa’s development plans deliver tangible results for its people.

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