“Buy Africa, It’s Not Inferior”: Visionary Leaders Call for Economic Unity at Africa CEO Forum
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — In one of the most electrifying sessions of the Africa CEO Forum, held in Abidjan, business and policy leaders from across the continent gathered to discuss the future of intra-African trade and economic integration under the theme “Fast-Tracking African Integration: The Private Sector Imperative.”
Leading the charge was Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group MD/CEO of Access Bank Plc, who was joined on stage by Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and Samaila Zubairu, CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
Ogbonna’s remarks resonated deeply with delegates, especially as he addressed perceptions surrounding African-made products and the need for Africans to believe in their own economic potential. “There was a time when ‘Made in China’ was laughed at. Today, it stands as a symbol of quality. Africa has all it takes—natural resources, human capital, and potential,” he said. “It’s time to drop the stigma. Buy Africa. It’s not inferior.”
The session underscored the urgent need for robust regional value chains and the strategic scaling of intra-African trade, supported by improved infrastructure and financial frameworks. Mene emphasized that tools like the e-Tariff Book and the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund are already reshaping the continent’s trade policies and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Zubairu added that unlocking the $120 billion trade finance gap that currently stifles African MSMEs is key to driving sustainable growth. “We must merge public policy with private sector agility. Infrastructure development alone isn’t enough. We need financing, innovation, and belief in our own ability to transform.”
A major highlight was the discussion on the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS), a revolutionary initiative aimed at simplifying cross-border trade by enabling faster, local-currency transactions within Africa.
Ogbonna noted, “Africa’s MSMEs form the backbone of the continent’s economy, yet they remain underserved. Financial institutions must rise to the challenge, creating tailored solutions that address real gaps—not just in capital, but also in access, education, and support.”
The panel ended on a powerful note of optimism and conviction. Africa’s time, they agreed, is now. But to fully realize the AfCFTA’s potential, every stakeholder—from government to business to the consumer—must buy into the shared vision of an economically self-reliant Africa.
