The Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene has encouraged United States and African Businesses and governments to recognize that Africa’s economic future cannot depend on trade alone but must also have production at the centre of is strategy.

Speaking at the 2025 Corporate Council on Africa’s 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit opened by H.E. João Lourenço, President of Angola and AU Chairperson in Luanda, Angola, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene highlighted key shifts in U.S. trade policy and stressed AfCFTA’s role in positioning Africa as a competitive global trading bloc and strategic partner in reshaping global trade. The Secretary General emphasized that Africa aims to add value to natural resources, expand manufacturing capacity, and generate decent, sustainable jobs across the continent which the AfCFTA is accelerating by strengthening regional value chains, improving logistics, and addressing barriers.

“In this era of the AfCFTA, the conditions for a more dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership are firmly in place. The AfCFTA provides the strategic framework, Africa’s economic momentum offers the opportunity, and U.S.-Africa collaboration can deliver impactful outcomes” The Secretary General expatiated.

H.E. Mene reechoed that Africa possesses vast renewable energy potential, from abundant solar, wind, and hydro resources, to critical minerals vital for the global clean energy transition. Thus, strategic partnerships in such space must focus on investment in sustainable energy infrastructure, green industrialization, and the development of responsible, transparent value chains.

“We also have an opportunity to operationalize the green investment principles embedded in the AfCFTA Protocol on Investment, and to advance initiatives such as the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), which aims to position Africa as a global hub for green manufacturing through value addition to its mineral wealth.”.

He however revealed that Africa’s greatest asset is its people, especially its youth. With a median age under 20 and rapidly expanding digital connectivity, he believes the continent is emerging as a global centre for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative industries and to realize her full potential, Africa must invest in education, skills development, and digital infrastructure, while ensuring that women and youth have effective access to finance, markets, and leadership opportunities.

“Collaboration in digital infrastructure, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and data governance will open new efficiencies in trade, enhance service delivery, and integrate African businesses into the global digital economy”.

He said as the continent accelerates the implementation of the AfCFTA and deepen continental economic integration, ensuring continuity and predictability in trade programs like the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) is essential.

Ambassador, Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official of African Affairs of the US said the US and Africa must move beyond outdated, one-way aid relationships to a modern, two-way partnership based on trade and investment. He revealed that despite Africa’s growth, U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa still make up less than one percent of its global trade in goods, a figure that hasn’t moved in decades.

Angola’s President, João Lourenço, who opened the summit, made a strong call to recalibrate U.S. engagement with Africa, pivoting from traditional aid to expanded private investment.

“New dynamics show us it is time to replace the logic of aid with the logic of ambition and private investment,” Lourenço said.
“It is time to see Africa as a credible partner – rich in potential, in need of financial capital and know-how, and eager to join forces for mutual benefit.”