President John Dramani Mahama has underscored Africa’s central role in shaping the future of global alliances, declaring that the continent will be decisive in defining the global economy of the 21st century.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, President Mahama said the future of global cooperation cannot be meaningfully imagined without Africa, stressing that the continent should no longer be viewed merely as a space of competition but as a source of solutions, opportunities, and rising global influence.

“With the world’s youngest population, vast natural endowments, dynamic innovation, and an expanding market of 1.3 billion people, Africa will play a decisive role in shaping the global economy of the twenty-first century,” he stated.

President Mahama noted that future global partnerships must be anchored in shared prosperity, calling for increased collaboration in renewable and clean energy, modern infrastructure, resilient food systems, digital transformation, and human capital development.

He emphasised that Africa is open to partnerships that go beyond trade, urging global partners to invest in initiatives that build industries, strengthen supply chains, and create sustainable economic opportunities across the continent.

“Africa welcomes global partners not merely to trade with, but to transform with,” he said.

The President also reiterated Africa’s demand for a stronger voice in the emerging global order, arguing that the continent deserves a seat at the decision-making table as the world restructures its political and economic alliances.

In this regard, he highlighted the Accra Reset initiative, which has convened dialogues in Accra, New York and Davos, with plans to extend to Addis Ababa.

According to him, the initiative provides a roadmap for Africa’s transition from aid and dependency to trade, investment, and mutually beneficial global partnerships.