THE Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini says African leaders have agreed that Africans must remain at the forefront of the continent’s economy if meaningful and sustainable development is to be achieved.
Dlamini shared this on Wednesday upon his return from Nairobi, Kenya, where he represented His Majesty King Mswati III at the Africa Forward Summit.
The high-level gathering brought together heads of State and government from across Africa and beyond to discuss practical solutions for accelerating economic transformation and regional integration on the continent.
The summit was co-chaired by the President of Kenya William Ruto and France President Emmanuel Macron and served as a platform for African nations and France to strengthen cooperation on development, trade and investment.
Dlamini said the discussions centred on ensuring that ordinary Africans benefit from the continent’s abundant resources and economic opportunities.
“The summit addressed critical issues affecting our beloved continent, with strong emphasis placed on ensuring that Africans remain at the forefront of the African economy. The message was clear: for Africa to move forward, every African citizen must benefit from the continent’s vast resources and opportunities,” said Dlamini.
He said key discussions focused on economic growth, business development, healthcare, peace and security, all aimed at advancing sustainable development throughout Africa.
The PM noted that there was strong consensus among African leaders on the importance of supporting African-owned businesses and championing mega projects capable of unlocking economic transformation.
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“There was strong consensus among African leaders on the need for governments across the continent to support African businesses and champion mega projects that can unlock economic transformation.
This aligns with our national vision of attracting large-scale investments that will accelerate growth and create opportunities for citizens,” he said.
Dlamini further revealed that the country’s delegation had an opportunity to engage with renowned African industrialist Aliko Dangote during the Summit.
“We also had the opportunity to engage with renowned African industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and extended an invitation for him to visit Eswatini and explore potential areas of investment in our country,” he added.
He also congratulated Presidents Ruto and Macron for successfully chairing the Summit and facilitating meaningful dialogue on Africa’s future.
