EL ALAMEIN, Egypt — Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for stronger economic integration, regional trade and cross-border cooperation among African countries, saying collective action is needed to navigate growing geopolitical and economic pressures.
Speaking at the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt on Saturday, Mudavadi said African countries must develop partnerships, policies and projects capable of translating the African Union’s Agenda 2063 into tangible economic outcomes.
The forum, held alongside the eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, brought together political leaders, African institutions and private-sector representatives to discuss the continent’s economic trajectory and ways of strengthening cooperation between governments and businesses.
Mudavadi said the global economy was undergoing structural changes, citing the Middle East crisis, conflicts in Africa, disruptions at key trade chokepoints, rising protectionism and trade tensions as developments with implications for the continent.
“These heightened trade and geopolitical tensions call for collective economic response, with partnerships, policies and projects that translate the vision of Agenda 2063 into tangible economic outcomes that transform the lives of African people,” he said.
Mudavadi Pushes Regional Financial Integration
Mudavadi identified financial fragmentation as one of the barriers limiting Africa’s economic potential.
He said the continent’s financial system remains fragmented and geographically concentrated, constraining cross-border capital flows.
“Regional financial integration is therefore essential to unlock capital flows, strengthen economic linkages and reduce disparities,” he said.
He called for closer cooperation between African governments and the private sector to remove barriers to trade and deepen economic integration.
Mudavadi said Kenya remains committed to accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he described as a platform for industrialisation, stronger regional value chains and increased investment.
Infrastructure Key To African Trade
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also identified infrastructure and logistics as major obstacles to efficient movement of goods across African markets.
He called for greater investment in regional transport corridors, cross-border digital payment systems, integrated energy grids and shared infrastructure to support intra-African trade and cross-border industrial projects.
“Our continent is competing globally, and attaining the necessary scale requires holistic approach by Governments, private sector and development partners,” Mudavadi said.
He urged African countries to tackle physical and regulatory barriers while supporting the growth of continental companies and projects capable of competing in global markets.
Mudavadi Highlights Lamu Refinery
Mudavadi cited the September 30 groundbreaking of the proposed East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu as an example of an African-led project with regional ambitions.
The project, backed by the Dangote Group, is expected to support development of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor, or LAPSSET, linking Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Mudavadi described the refinery as an example of Africa developing solutions to meet its own economic needs.
“This legacy project, backed by the Dangote Group, a private enterprise, demonstrates our objective and growing capacity to provide African solutions to African needs,” he said.
He said the project could contribute to regional energy security, value addition, industrialisation and job creation.
Beyond infrastructure and trade, Mudavadi called for structural and institutional reforms to maximise Africa’s potential in critical minerals, digital innovation, the creative economy and its youthful population.
He said Africa already possesses the human resources, natural resources and strategic intent required to achieve its development goals.
The Alamein Africa Forum’s broader agenda is focused on turning Agenda 2063 ambitions into partnerships, financing and implementable projects, with intra-African trade and investment among its strategic priorities.
