Algerian Radio
The 12th edition of the African Investment and Trade Forum concluded this Sunday in Algiers. According to the forum's final statement, the discussions highlighted Algeria's pivotal role in supporting African economic integration and strengthening developmental partnerships across the continent.
The final statement issued by the organizers explained that Algeria, under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, continues to solidify its position as a key player in supporting African causes, as well as by encouraging investment and trade exchange, and supporting continental economic integration projects.
Participants praised Algeria's role in developing continental infrastructure and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in addition to encouraging investment and exports to African markets, further strengthening its position as a strategic gateway between Africa and the world.
The forum's proceedings concluded with a series of recommendations, most notably: accelerating the implementation of African economic integration projects, strengthening financing mechanisms for strategic projects, and supporting digital transformation and e-commerce. Furthermore, the recommendations emphasized developing industrial and agricultural value chains and encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Participants also called for enhancing logistical connectivity, transport, and trade exchange between African countries, while empowering youth and startups to access continental markets and benefit from intra-African investment and trade opportunities.
The statement emphasized that the forum served as a "strategic African milestone" for enhancing economic integration, opening markets, and accelerating the pace of investment and intra-continental trade. Furthermore, it aimed to realize the objectives of the Africa 2063 Agenda through practical projects and partnerships that serve sustainable development across the continent.
Participants noted that the forum has become a reference African platform bringing together decision-makers, investors, and financial institutions. It contributes to supporting African industrialization, developing added-value chains, and encouraging cross-border partnerships.
The event, hosted by Algiers on May 9 and 10, saw more than 550 bilateral meetings and the signing of over 70 expressions of interest in the fields of trade and investment—20 of which involved Algeria. Additionally, 17 field visits were organized, and 12 direct requests to purchase Algerian products were recorded.
In a press conference on the sidelines of the closing ceremony, the President of the Arab-African Center for Investment and Development, Mr. Boutalbi, explained that the agreements concluded during the forum constitute a "fundamental building block" for solidifying Algeria's position as a gateway to economic opportunities in Africa. This is achieved by promoting Algerian products and the investment opportunities available within the continent.
For his part, the Director of the North Africa and Sahel Region Division of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Emmanuel Mbanga, considered that the 12th edition of the forum provided an opportunity to assess the continent's potential and discuss challenges related to activating the AfCFTA. According to him, the initiative has now moved from the negotiation phase to the stage of actual implementation.
