The Economic Roundtable on the third day brought together key players in African economic integration around a central theme: “The Contribution of Africans and Afrodescendants to Africa’s Integrated Economic Development”.
Six leading speakers demonstrated that Africa and its diaspora have the tools, infrastructure, and talent to succeed together. The AfCFTA opens the way, but it requires coordination, information, and investment.
🌍 Africa and Its Diaspora: A United Economic Force
The African continent is at a strategic turning point: a dynamic youth population, rising production, and abundant resources. The 6th region — the African diaspora — represents a considerable economic lever to accelerate continental integration.
The Pan-African Payment System already enables exchanges in local currencies, with 19 central banks and 80 commercial banks connected, reducing transaction costs by over 5 billion USD.
The AfCFTA is a historic opportunity, but it requires infrastructure, private sector involvement, energy, logistics, and the removal of non-tariff barriers.
$5 Bn
in savings on
transaction costs
24%
banking rate
in WAEMU zone
🏦 FINANCING — Mobilizing African Resources
ECOBANK GROUP
Estelle Fafa Komlan
She identified the major challenge: low banking penetration (24% in the WAEMU zone) and the need to change mindsets regarding financing. The African financial system now offers three levels: microfinance, mesofinance, and commercial banks. Solutions exist but remain poorly known or underutilized.
” The challenges are real, but solutions exist and must be better mobilized. “
🏭 INFRASTRUCTURE — African Models That Work
PIA ADÉTIKOPÉ
Lieutenant Colonel Sandah Idiola
He presented the 4 key factors behind PIA’s success: a solid public-private partnership (35% State / 65% private), a strategic position (Port of Lomé + Sahel corridors), an integrated ecosystem (one-stop shop bringing together all administrations), and effective governance.
” PIA succeeds because it combines strategic vision, effective governance, and total integration of investor services. “
AFRICAN GLOBAL LOGISTICS
Mr. d’Almeida
AGL holds a key position at the Autonomous Port of Lomé, a major regional hub. The company contributes to logistics fluidity, regional transit, and Togo’s competitiveness, with infrastructure modernization and support for industrial value chains.
” At the heart of Africa’s emancipation, for Africans. “
✈️ MOBILITY & HUMAN CAPITAL — Africa Taking Off
ASKY AIRLINES
Martial Daté Dovéné TEVI-BÉNISSAN
ASKY illustrates African success: 30 destinations, 15 aircraft, 15 years of continuous growth. The secret? Human capital — a young team (average age < 40 years) — and intra-African cooperation: Ethiopian Airlines shared its expertise, a model of knowledge transfer between Africans.
” Mobility and innovation require massive investment in youth and cooperation between Africans. “
🌍 VISION — From Ideological Pan-Africanism to Action-Oriented Pan-Africanism
ECONOMIST
Professor Kako Nubukpo
He observed the coherence between panels, principles, and practices of Pan-Africanism at this Congress. Concrete solutions are emerging: food security, industrialization, logistics, youth employment. The urgency: rapid mobilization of resources. African youth are waiting for jobs — we must act quickly.
” The Congress marks the transition from ideological Pan-Africanism to action-oriented Pan-Africanism. “
🎯 The 4 Conditions for AfCFTA Success
1
Infrastructure
Roads, ports, airports, digital connectivity
2
Private Sector Involvement
Public-private partnerships, investments, entrepreneurship
3
Energy and Logistics
Access to electricity, efficient supply chains
4
Removal of Non-Tariff Barriers
Administrative simplification, standards harmonization
🌍 The Message of This Roundtable
Africans and Afrodescendants, together,
can build an integrated African market,
with accessible financing, high-performing infrastructure,
Pan-African air mobility,
and massive investment in human capital.
📌 Key Takeaways
- The Pan-African Payment System saves over 5 billion USD
- 19 central banks + 80 commercial banks already connected
- The AfCFTA is a historic opportunity for Africans and Afrodescendants
- The PIA Adétikopé model proves the effectiveness of African PPPs
- ASKY Airlines illustrates successful intra-African cooperation
- Human capital and youth are the main assets
- Pan-Africanism must move from ideology to concrete action
📣 Stay Connected
🌍 Official website: https://pac9-lome2024.com