African leaders have called for greater investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation, and climate finance to accelerate the continent’s development and economic transformation.
The leaders made the call during a presidential dialogue at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Brazzaville.
They emphasised the need for Africa to mobilise more private capital and strengthen partnerships to finance large-scale development projects.
The high-level panel featured the Presidents of Gabon, Brice Nguema; Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra; host President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo; and AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tah.
President Brice Nguema of Gabon said his country was working to transform its natural resources and biodiversity into long-term economic growth through eco-tourism and carbon credit initiatives.
“We would like to develop our forests while preserving nature,” Nguema said.
The Gabonese president also called for greater international compensation for Congo Basin countries preserving global forest ecosystems.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo emphasised the importance of economic diversification beyond oil and gas. He highlighted Congo’s plans to expand fertiliser production using its reserves of potash, phosphate, and natural gas.
He also underscored the importance of energy generation for Africa’s industrial growth, citing the hydropower potential of the Congo River basin.
“It is not possible to achieve development without energy,” he said.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic appealed for stronger support to unlock the economic potential of landlocked countries through investments in roads, electricity, and regional connectivity.
“We have huge potential. Today we have peace, and there are several sectors that can attract investors,” he said.
Responding to concerns over Africa’s financing gap, AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tah said the continent possessed an estimated $4 trillion in African-held financial resources that could be leveraged for development.
“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 leaders also stressed the importance of investing in Africa’s youth through education, engineering, and technical training to drive long-term economic transformation.
