Africa is one of the richest continents: Sisi

CAIRO - 8 July 2019: "The African continent has many natural resources and raw materials that can make it the most successful and richest continent," said President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Monday during his presidency of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) coordination summit.

Sisi pointed out the importance of supporting investors in the public and private sectors, who are doing everything in their power to strengthen economic and trade projects in the continent.

The summit was attended by leaders of African countries, blocs and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), among others.

Sisi stressed the importance of dealing with the challenges faced by African societies, pointing out that the African continent has made great strides in the development of economic and trade projects.

The president also added that the African people are among the best people in the world and that they have many strategic and logistic projects under way. “We have a common interest and a lot of enthusiasm and optimism,” the president affirmed.

For his side, President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou expressed support of the African free trade area that was created in March of 2019, adding that the area will facilitate the exchange of goods among African countries.

Issoufou hoped the African Development Bank would back the AU and offer all necessary assistance to African states.

He underlined the importance of materializing the aspirations of African youths and creating more jobs to fight unemployment and poverty, added that African youths have many aspirations and should be supported.

He said there are many projects on the 2019 agenda of the AU that will be carried out with the support and tireless efforts of African brothers.

He also added that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is the most important event for the African continent that will help increase trade among African states and attract more investors to the continent.

The summit seeks to develop AfCFTA-related frameworks and foundations for integration with tools for common action in the coming period.

The extraordinary African summit kicked off on Sunday, July 7, under the chairmanship of President Sisi, the current president of the African Union.

Additional Report with MENA