African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Thursday urged the European Union to lift all tariff and non-tariff barriers on African goods, saying the continent is determined to move beyond its long-standing role as a supplier of raw materials.
“I’m calling for the lifting of any tariff or non-tariff barrier hampering the access of African products to the European market,” Youssouf told the Heads of State and Ministers Session at the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda.
He said Africa was pushing to deepen value-addition at home, particularly in mineral processing, and called on Europe to invest in the continent’s industrial transformation. “Our role as raw material supplier only will come to an end soon,” he said. “I’m pleading for European investments in the transformation process of our minerals on the continent.”
Youssouf also warned that Africa’s development is weighed down by unsustainable debt, urging a revision of global debt-management rules and greater support for climate-adaptation financing. “Our continent requires a revision of the conditions for managing its debt to make it more sustainable,” he said, citing a “common African position on debt”.
He said closing the digital divide was essential for Africa’s economic progress and key to strengthening its place in global value chains. “Our international resources are as abundant as never before,” he said. “Our continent is making progress to be a key player.”
Calling for “stronger and more viable multilateralism based on equality and respect for all nations,” Youssouf said the summit should help both continents push toward “peace, progress and prosperity”.
“We can make this journey together for the sake of uplifting our shared humanity,” he said.
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