Speaking at the Third Summit on Financing for Infrastructure Development in Africa, which is taking place in Luanda, Angola, until October 31, Youssouf emphasized that the continent needs to invest $130 billion annually to close its gap in this area.

The AUC head emphasized that this is the backbone of the African Continental Free Trade Area and economic sovereignty, hence the priority given to it by the continental body.

In this regard, he reported that through the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa, 16,000 kilometers (km) of roads and 4,000 kilometers of railways have already been built, and 30 million people have been provided with access to energy.

He added that the next phase will expand these actions through the mobilization of domestic resources, innovative financing, and stronger global partnerships.

“African integration is not a dream; it is our method,” Youssouf said, insisting that the continent’s countries must shift from a logic of assistance to one of partnerships.

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