Prof Ladan harps on highlights of Kigali summit

 

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan PhD

A renowned Professor of Law, Prof Mohammed Ladan says that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been identified as a critical tool for boosting intra-African trade, which currently remains below 10% in some regions.

He stated this while highlighting the key takeaways from the just concluded 2026 Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

According to Professor Ladan, the 2026 Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda centered on the theme “Scale or Fail: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” emphasized that African businesses must collaborate on capital, infrastructure, and markets to compete globally.

Professor Ladan said with over 2,800 participants, the forum highlighted that to succeed, firms must bridge the gap from small-scale operations to regional giants through cross-border partnerships.

He noted that President Paul Kagame and various leaders have stressed the urgent need to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on value-added manufacturing, especially in critical energy minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper.

Professor Ladan stated that discussions at the meeting focused on developing domestic capital and investment that remains on the continent to build resilient industries rather than relying solely on foreign aid.

According to Prof Ladan, there was a strong call for creating unified digital frameworks and investing in cross-border energy networks to power industrial development.

He noted that the success of the Dangote Refinery which is now exporting refined products was highlighted as a prime example of the value-added, “made-in-Africa” approach at the forum.

Professor Ladan maintained that a powerful address from Rwandan President Paul Kagame urged African leaders to prioritize economic sovereignty over the demands of major global economic powers.