By Ebi Kesiena
African leaders have renewed calls for increased investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance as critical drivers of the continent’s economic transformation and sustainable development.
The call was made during a presidential dialogue at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where heads of state and development partners discussed strategies for closing Africa’s financing gap and accelerating growth on Friday.
The high-level panel featured President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, and the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah.
The leaders stressed the need for African countries to mobilise greater private-sector investment, strengthen partnerships and develop bankable projects capable of attracting long-term financing for large-scale development initiatives.
President Nguema highlighted Gabon’s efforts to transform its vast natural resources and rich biodiversity into sustainable sources of economic growth. He said the country was pursuing eco-tourism opportunities and carbon-credit programmes while maintaining its commitment to environmental conservation.
“We would like to develop our forests while preserving nature,” he said,
On his part, President Sassou Nguesso stressed the importance of diversifying African economies beyond dependence on oil and gas revenues. He pointed to Congo’s plans to expand fertiliser production by leveraging its abundant reserves of potash, phosphate and natural gas.
The Congolese leader also identified energy as the foundation of industrial development across the continent, citing the enormous hydropower potential of the Congo River Basin.
“It is not possible to achieve development without energy,” he said, emphasising that reliable power supply remains essential for industrialisation, job creation and economic competitiveness.
Addressing concerns over Africa’s development financing challenges, AfDB President Dr. Tah noted that the continent possesses significant financial resources that could be harnessed to support growth and infrastructure development.
According to him, an estimated $4 trillion in African-held financial assets exists across the continent and could be channelled into transformative projects through stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions and development partners.
“It is our role at the bank to work with states and financial institutions to design bankable projects and mobilise the necessary financing,” he said.
The discussions also highlighted the need to invest in Africa’s rapidly growing youth population. Leaders at the forum stressed that strengthening education systems, engineering programmes and technical training would be crucial to building the skilled workforce required for future industrial growth.
They noted that empowering young Africans with relevant skills would not only boost productivity but also support innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term economic resilience across the continent.
