Africa is no longer an observer of global changes

The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Taiye Atseki Selassie, stressed that the African continent is going through a pivotal stage that requires reformulating its roles in the global system, stressing that Africa is no longer just an observer of geopolitical and economic transformations, but has become an active player and engineer of its future through structural connectivity and economic integration projects.
He expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” for the invitation to participate in this global forum that brings together thought leaders to build a better future.
This came during a keynote speech he delivered during the first day of the World Government Summit 2026, where he reviewed the Ethiopian vision for the renaissance of the African continent and the challenges facing the countries of the Global South in light of the rapid changes in the international balance of power.
He stressed that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area represents the cornerstone of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as the region represents a promising market for 1.3 billion people with a domestic product exceeding 3.4 trillion dollars, explaining that the continent is working to eliminate 90% of customs barriers to build strong regional production networks.
He said, “Africa’s economic future depends on cross-border integration and connectivity, and our projects in developing vital corridors represent the arteries that will feed African industry and enhance intra-trade.”
Regarding the energy sector, he explained that Ethiopia believes that energy is the primary driver of development, noting that the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which was built with national resources, now generates more than 6,000 megawatts of clean energy, and is an integral part of the pan-African electrical interconnection plan.
He also revealed huge investments to develop the aviation sector, including building an international airport at a cost of $12.5 billion, designated to accommodate 110 million passengers annually and more than 3 million tons of air freight.
In his speech, the President touched on the issue of “trust” in the international system, criticizing the unequal relations that some African countries faced, stressing that “Africa does not have the luxury of making mistakes, and every step we take requires careful review of the impact and maximum benefit.”
Regarding the continent’s position on global polarization, he said, “Africa’s position is clear. We should not be forced to choose specific parties. We are biased in our mutual interests, as today’s opponents may be tomorrow’s partners in the process of progress.”
He concluded his speech by calling on the international community for a true partnership based on inclusion, not exclusion, saying that “the beautiful version of our collective human progress, characterized by care and stability, may not have been born yet, but we are optimistic about the young generation of innovative leaders capable of building the world we aspire to.”