Monrovia, Liberia – The African Development Bank has issued a strong appeal for cooperation and action in order to promote the growth and prosperity of Africa. The Bank’s Regional Integration and Coordination Office hosted the 2nd Integrate Africa Lecture Series at the University of Rwanda, where Director Dr. Joy Kategekwa stressed the urgent need for a united Africa in order to achieve sustainable prosperity.
A forum for uniting stakeholders, including leaders, legislators, youth, and the general public, in pursuit of a common vision for the continent’s sustainable development is provided by the Integrate Africa Lecture series.
The idea of integration has been essential to Africa’s existence as a political and economic need, Dr. Kategekwa emphasized in her talk.
She called on Africans to transform their common Pan-African spirit into tangible advancement, stressing the value of cooperation in successfully tackling shared issues. She emphasized the need for collective strength to overcome obstacles stating that “We must transform our Pan-African spirit into actionable strategies.”
The implementation of legal agreements, stringent visa regulations that impede travel among African nations, and a lack of infrastructure to improve regional connection are some of the major obstacles to the continent’s prosperity, according to Dr. Kategekwa. She emphasized that better infrastructure will greatly advance Africa’s economic prospects and integration initiatives.
Dr. Kategekwa cited Chad as an example to highlight Africa’s untapped wealth. “Chad has distinct specialized industries, but the discourse about them is frequently restricted to humanitarian emergencies. The emphasis has to change to utilizing these advantages for economic independence and expansion.” She maintained that this underlines how African nations must use their capabilities to foster progress and increase self-reliance.
Dr. Kategekwa called on governments to stop using divisive tactics and embrace creative solutions. She said, “Let’s put aside the divide-and-conquer mentality and work together for the benefit of the continent.” In order to promote long-term development, she argued for a treaty that would concentrate on industrialization and bringing Africa’s common interests together.
Dr. Kategekwa reiterated how important young people in Africa are to furthering the integration goal. She noted that there are a ton of chances for young people to participate and make a significant contribution in industries like Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). By highlighting Africa’s strengths, the continent can encourage further regional integration and collaboration.
Professor Kayihura Muganga Didas, the University of Rwanda’s Acting Vice Chancellor, commended the African Development Bank for hosting this important talk. “It is a call to leaders and citizens to collaborate for a better Africa,” he said.
Dr. Elvis Mbembe Binda, dean of the University of Rwanda’s School of Law, called for African leaders to act now to unify the continent and create a more resilient, cohesive future.
