Veep says Africa Must Unite to Unlock Prosperity

Ghana’s Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger unity among African nations to drive shared prosperity and economic growth across the continent.

Speaking at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues on Wednesday, February 4, she urged governments to adopt long-term and medium-term policies, strengthen development finance institutions, and implement regional projects that reflect Africa’s collective ambitions.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang explained that unity would allow entrepreneurs and manufacturers to see Africa not as fragmented markets, but as one connected economy with vast opportunities. She encouraged policymakers and business leaders to prioritize initiatives that promote cross-border collaboration and regional integration.

“We must continue to integrate our borders. Africa must unite. This is not about erasing sovereignty; it is about organising our sovereignty in service of shared prosperity and our market,” she said.

The Vice President stressed that Africa’s future depends on building strong institutions and policies that can support sustainable development. She noted that without unity, African countries risk missing out on opportunities to compete globally and to harness the continent’s resources for the benefit of its people.

She highlighted the importance of regional projects in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and trade, which can only succeed if countries work together. According to her, collective action will help Africa overcome challenges such as fragmented markets, weak financing systems, and limited industrial capacity.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also emphasized the role of business leaders in shaping Africa’s prosperity. She said entrepreneurs must look beyond national borders and embrace the idea of a continental market, while governments must create policies that make such collaboration possible.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues brought together leaders from across the continent to discuss strategies for building a stronger, more integrated Africa. The event focused on how unity can unlock opportunities in trade, investment, and industrial growth, while also addressing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s message was clear: Africa’s strength lies in its unity. By working together, she said, the continent can build resilience, create jobs, and ensure prosperity for future generations. Her call adds to growing voices across Africa that stress the need for deeper integration under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create the world’s largest single market.