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President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has called on African leaders to rethink existing policies and take deliberate action to remove political and structural barriers that continue to hinder trade among African countries.
President Bio made the call while speaking during a panel discussion titled “How can Africa prosper in the new world economy?” held on the margins of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos on Tuesday.
Addressing global leaders, policymakers and business executives, President Bio said intra-African trade remains constrained by long-standing obstacles, despite the continent’s vast economic potential. He stressed that dismantling these barriers is essential for Africa to achieve meaningful economic growth and deeper regional integration.
According to President Bio, restrictive policies and weak coordination among African states continue to limit trade flows across the continent. He noted that addressing these challenges would help unlock new opportunities for industrial growth, job creation and shared prosperity.
The Sierra Leonean leader also underscored the need for African countries to invest more in human capital development, describing education and skills training as critical drivers of competitiveness in the global economy. He emphasized the importance of strengthening agriculture and improving food security as part of efforts to build resilient economies.
President Bio further highlighted the need to promote value addition in Africa’s mining sector, saying the continent must move beyond the export of raw materials and focus on processing and manufacturing to increase revenues and create jobs.
Youth empowerment featured prominently in his remarks, with President Bio describing job creation for young people as a cornerstone of sustainable development across Africa. He said providing economic opportunities for Africa’s growing youth population is key to long-term stability and growth.
President Bio’s comments align with broader discussions at the World Economic Forum on the need for policy reforms, regional cooperation and innovative leadership to help Africa adapt to changes in the global economy. His message emphasized collaboration among African nations as a pathway to building a more prosperous and interconnected continent.
The World Economic Forum annual meeting brings together heads of state, business leaders and international organizations to discuss global economic and development challenges.
