President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to urgently prioritise skills development, regional cooperation and domestic production as the continent seeks to position itself competitively in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Speaking at the Accra Reset Davos Convening on Thursday, January 22, President Mahama warned that Africa risks falling further behind if it fails to innovate and build resilient, competitive economies, especially as its youthful population grows increasingly impatient for jobs and opportunity.
He identified skills development as the continent’s most pressing priority, stressing the need for education systems that respond directly to economic demands. According to him, African governments must go beyond traditional academic training and invest in digital technology, green energy and manufacturing skills.
“These are the skills that allow young people to build economies, not merely consume from them,” he said.
President Mahama also underscored the importance of regional integration, noting that no single African country can successfully industrialise in isolation. He called for deeper collaboration through the establishment of regional manufacturing hubs, shared energy systems and integrated digital infrastructure.
Such cooperation, he explained, would provide businesses with scale and enable workers to access employment opportunities across borders.
