7 Presidents, 3,000 delegates to attend 2025 African Prosperity Dialogues

Over 3,000 delegates from 46 countries are set to converge at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) for the 2025 edition of the African Prosperity Dialogues (APD), taking place from January 30 to February 1, 2025.
This year’s event, hosted by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, will be held under the theme: “Delivering the African Single Market Through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, Integrate.”
The APD will also welcome seven African Heads of State, making it one of the most high-profile gatherings focused on advancing Africa’s economic integration.

Unprecedented magnitude
In his address at the hybrid press conference held on January 27, 2025, Sidig Faroug El Toum, CEO of APN Secretariat, highlighted the event’s scale and significance.
“This year’s dialogues will be unprecedented in scope, with participation from diverse global players and leadership,” Mr. El Toum stated.
“Having over 3,000 delegates and seven Heads of State join us in Accra highlights the immense interest in advancing Africa’s economic prospects through strategic infrastructure investments.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian people for their hospitality and the media’s critical role in amplifying the APD’s mission of economic transformation.

Focus on infrastructure development
Rui Pedro Afonso Livramento, Chief of Staff at the AfCFTA Secretariat, underscored the critical role of infrastructure in achieving a fully integrated African single market.
“Infrastructure inefficiencies add 30 to 40 percent to the costs of intra-African trade, particularly affecting small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” Mr. Livramento said.
He stressed the importance of addressing these challenges through trade aggregators, digital connectivity, and modernized transport and logistics.

Strengthening partnerships
The dialogues will highlight collaborations among governments, the private sector, and development partners to foster infrastructure development.
Stephanie Diatta, Chief of Partnerships and International Relations at APN, emphasized the importance of partnerships in unlocking Africa’s potential.
“This event is a significant step toward achieving Africa’s immense potential through the AfCFTA,” she said, noting the participation of seven Heads of State and key global players such as Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, and Dr. Abdulhamid Al Khalifa, President of the OPEC Fund.

Expanded breakfast meetings
For the first time, the APD will feature a dedicated breakfast meeting series on January 30, 2025.
This component, led by Tonisha Tagoe, will focus on six critical areas, female entrepreneurship, housing and urban development, digital payments, youth empowerment, public-private partnerships and venture capital and private equity
Tagoe noted that these sessions are pivotal for addressing Africa’s most pressing issues and shaping actionable strategies.

Key Highlights of the Dialogues
On day one (January 30) activities includes opening of the ProJet Afrique Exhibition, discussions on infrastructure funding and logistics for cross-border trade, welcome Reception at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City.

For day two (January 31), panels on sustainable energy, STEM education, healthcare, and urban development, open forum for participants to contribute insights to the summit’s outcome document would be held.

In respect of the third day (February 1), participants would hold, high-Level Heads of State and Business Leaders’ Dialogue, presidential Roundtable on private-sector participation, fireside conversations on BADEA’s $50 billion Investment Fund and concluding with the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and Gala Dinner, celebrating outstanding contributions to Africa’s development.

The vision: Africa beyond aid
The APD reflects the African Union’s Agenda 2063, envisioning an Africa driven by its own resources and innovation.
The dialogues will provide a strategic platform for translating the AfCFTA’s ambitions into concrete actions, focusing on infrastructure as the backbone of economic integration.
As the APD 2025 unfolds, it sets the stage for transformative dialogue, actionable solutions, and partnerships that will drive Africa toward becoming a globally competitive economic powerhouse