Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr Richard Gyan-Mensah, has delivered the keynote address at the Roundtable on Energy, Infrastructure and Trade Connectivity during the Africa Trade Summit 2026, on behalf of the Minister for Energy and Green Transition,  Dr John Abdulai Jinapor.

In his address, Mr Mensah underscored that Africa’s industrial ambitions are not limited by a shortage of ideas or human capital, but rather by fragmented energy systems, weak infrastructure networks, and inefficient trade arrangements across the continent.

He explained that successful industrial economies are anchored on three critical pillars: reliable energy supply, resilient infrastructure, and efficient trade systems.

According to him, the absence of coherence among these pillars continues to constrain Africa’s ability to fully industrialise and compete effectively in global markets.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening regional power pools, developing integrated trade corridors, reforming customs processes, and deploying digital trade platforms.

He noted that infrastructure investments can only deliver meaningful economic value when goods and services are able to move seamlessly across borders.

Mr Mensah further called for enhanced regional coordination and infrastructure diplomacy to ensure alignment of national development priorities, as well as the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms to bridge Africa’s infrastructure deficit.

He concluded by stressing that closing the infrastructure gap is essential to unlocking trade-led industrialisation and accelerating sustainable economic growth across the continent.

The Africa Trade Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for boosting intra-African trade and strengthening economic integration.