President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to intensify efforts toward achieving economic independence and shared prosperity, emphasising the need for value addition across the continent.

He made the remarks while speaking at Kenya’s Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2025. President Mahama said Africa’s political independence should serve as a constant reminder for leaders to govern in the best interests of their people.

“Our forebearers fought and won independence for us. It is now the duty of today’s African leadership to secure economic independence and prosperity for our people,” he said.

President Mahama pointed to structural challenges within the global economic system, observing that Africa continues to be positioned largely as a supplier of raw materials while importing finished goods.

He stressed that the continent must move decisively towards adding value to its exports, securing a fairer share of the benefits from its natural resources, and strengthening transparent and accountable leadership.

“The time has come for us to add value to what we produce, to claim a fairer return on our natural resource endowments, and to provide leadership that is open and accountable,” he noted.

The President also urged African countries to invest in the creativity and potential of their youth and to deepen economic cooperation among themselves.

He called for stronger intra-African trade and advocated the development of a trade protocol within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to accelerate economic integration across the continent.