The President of the Republic and of the African Union, João Lourenço, stated on Sunday in New York that the African continent possesses strategic resources that make it decisive in addressing the current energy and food crises affecting the world.
The Angolan statesman spoke on a panel at an event organized by the Global Business Initiative for Africa (GABI), held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in front of an audience of investors and international partners.
During the session, in an open conversation led by Angolan journalist Hariana Verás, the President said Africa has exceptional conditions to produce far more energy than it currently generates, mostly from renewable sources.
“We have high-flow rivers to expand hydroelectric capacity, abundant sunlight to increase photovoltaic energy, as is already happening in Morocco, North Africa, and Angola, and we also have rare minerals needed for batteries for electric vehicles and other applications,” he explained.
According to the Head of State, this potential places Africa at the center of the global energy transition and should be leveraged with greater investment and strategic vision.
Agricultural Capacity to Feed the World
The Angolan President also highlighted the continent’s role in food security, emphasizing that “Africa can produce enough to feed its own population and still export to the rest of the world.”
However, he warned that realizing this potential depends directly on peace and political stability.
“Until we can silence the guns, we cannot seriously talk about economic and social development. The noise of weapons scares away investment, especially private investment,” he stressed.
Peace as a Condition for Investment
The statesman noted that various conflicts continue to slow Africa’s progress, citing situations in the Sahel, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Somalia.
“We need to prioritize resolving these conflicts, because only with stability can private investment take root and energize our economies,” he added.
Angola’s Experience in Conflict Mediation
During his speech, João Lourenço highlighted Angola’s role in mediating crises on the continent, recalling involvement in the Central African Republic, the normalization of relations between Rwanda and Uganda, and efforts to bring Rwanda and the DRC closer to end the conflict in eastern DRC.
The Head of State stressed that the Great Lakes region has “great economic and tourism potential” that cannot continue to be wasted due to instability.
Regional Integration and the Lobito Corridor
João Lourenço also emphasized the expected impact of the Lobito Corridor, infrastructure that will connect the Port of Lobito on the Atlantic to Dar-es-Salaam on the Indian Ocean, passing through countries in Southern and Central Africa.
“This is not just a railway and two ports. This corridor will energize a real economy along its route, offering investment opportunities for production, processing, and export of goods, with benefits also for international trade, which could save thousands of kilometers and reduce costs,” he said.
Collective Responsibility
In conclusion, President João Lourenço called on African leaders and citizens to work together to make the continent’s potential a reality.
“Africa will only be unstoppable if it can ensure peace, stability, and intelligently leverage its natural resources, putting them at the service of the continent’s and the world’s progress,” he declared.
Source: ANGOP
