President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged African countries to integrate more closely through competitive business, political cooperation, and investment to establish an African Beyond Aid agenda. According to him, African countries should make the most of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by adding value to their resources before exporting them, in order to accrue more revenue.

Speaking at the Academy of African Business and Development's 22nd Annual Conference, President Akufo Addo said African economies can be transformed through value added industrialisation.

"African countries need to work more closely, deeply and competitively through trade to enhance initiatives. Together, we need to build our continent and hold each other up.”

“That's the only way we can grow organically", he added.

He also called on African countries to double their efforts to develop in a sustainable manner and take responsibility for its sustainable growth.

He claimed that while Africa was the richest continent in the planet, the vast majority of its people were the poorest.

The president commended the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), through the agency of OPSA for hosting the annual Academy of African Business and Development conference.

Simon Sigue, President of the Academy of African Business and Development, argued that Africa's intra-trade activity should be expanded to improve economies.

"Africa's economy is growing. When you look at it you could see, but we need to have a connection to build each other together", he stated

The AABD annual conferences aim at facilitating multi-disciplinary research by stimulating collaborations between Africa based researchers and professionals and their counterparts around the world.

This is done by broadening and deepening global understanding of various issues relevant to Africa’s business and development, as well as advancing solutions to some of her challenges.