The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has urged African countries to integrate energy and digital connectivity to accelerate industrialization, economic growth and sustainable development.
The Executive Secretary of ECA, Mr Claver Gatete, in a statement made the call at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York.
Gatete said energy and digital connectivity had become critical enablers of economic transformation rather than mere infrastructure investments.
He said that global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, climate shocks and technological disruption, underscored the need for stronger connectivity across Africa.
According to him, countries cannot industrialize without reliable electricity or compete in the digital economy while millions remain disconnected from the internet.
He said more than 600 million Africans still lacked electricity, while only 38 per cent of the continent’s population used the internet in 2024.
He described the gaps as development deficits that limited productivity, innovation, entrepreneurship and access to markets.
Gatete, however, said Africa possessed vast renewable energy resources, critical minerals and a youthful population capable of driving global industrial transformation.
“The question is not whether Africa has assets.
The question is whether Africa can connect those assets to value creation,” he said.
He urged African countries to move beyond exporting raw materials by developing regional value chains for batteries, electric vehicles and clean technologies.
The ECA chief cited the Lobito Corridor as an example of strategic infrastructure capable of promoting regional integration, trade and industrial development.
He also highlighted the Morocco-Zambia-Democratic Republic of the Congo electric mobility initiative as a model for building regional battery and electric vehicle value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
According to him, infrastructure should be viewed as an ecosystem combining transport, energy, digital systems, industrial parks, trade facilitation and skills development.
Gatete proposed five priorities to advance Africa’s industrialization through connectivity.
He said governments should integrate investments in energy, transport and digital infrastructure instead of treating them as separate sectors.
He also called for accelerated implementation of AfCFTA value chains, innovative infrastructure financing and stronger public-private partnerships.
The ECA executive secretary stressed the need to build digital skills alongside physical infrastructure to maximize economic transformation.
He further urged governments, development finance institutions and development partners to strengthen cooperation based on mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Gatete said Africa should position itself as a global leader in green industrialization, digital innovation and resilient supply chains.
“The opportunity is before us.
The resources exist and the partnerships are growing.
What is now required is scale, speed and collective action,” he said.(NAN).
