Africa’s path to the future has never been clearer: boost economic integration, invest in infrastructure, improve health and education, and strengthen governance in general.

This agenda will increase productivity in all sectors, including agriculture, which remains the largest employer on the continent, and could spur a boom in private sector investment in manufacturing. It will also create the jobs that Africa needs to reduce unemployment. Africa must be united, with the ultimate goal of building a prosperous continental economy based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, an economy that supports and timulatesentrepreneurship and wealth creation. In this same spirit it is up to us to conduct future negotiations on equally important issues, such as the conditions for healthy competition, respect for intellectual property and investment promotion. Only then can we give Africa a unique commercial voice. Africa is a huge and diverse continent that cannot be described with a single and unique narrative, as the gap between the richest countries and the poorest is substantial. Despite the differences, there are also common concerns. For example, political risk still contaminates states and internal and crossborder conflicts affect dozens of them.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which was signed by 54 African countries, aims to double intra-African trade by 2035. Currently at 18%, intra-continental trade is relatively low compared to America’s 47%, Asia’s 61%, Europe’s 67% and Oceania’s 7%. In this sense, the African continent faces several challenges, such as low levels of trade specialisations, small economies, fragmented markets and lack of industrial capacity. In order to face this, the agreement includes a single set of rules to be adopted by each member with the objective to accelerate intra-African trade and boost Africa’s trading position in the global market.

Consequently, the AfCFTA is set to become the world’s largest free trade area, with a single market that straddles economies with a combined GDP of $3 trillion. It is beyond argument that the continent needs a network of logistics infrastructure to drive intra-continental trade.

Great economic opportunities are waiting to be unlocked in Africa. However, from global trade wars to poor infrastructure, Africa’s economy is struggling to keep pace. Investors must see themselves as stakeholders in Africa, just as Africa must grasp the opportunity to become a stakeholder in the global economy. There is a positive course for Africans and African businesses to chart by 2050, but it will be up to Europe and the Mediterranean region to capitalise on the opportunity.

In Africa we must create wealth and contribute to the common good by strengthening the social fabric in a sustainable way that respects human dignity and nature. It is known that one flower does not make spring, but a hundred flowers in full bloom make spring breathe everywhere. Perhaps the African spring is yet to come.

Everyone believes that Africa is the next centre of the world. But the most important thing is that Africans also believe it. Africa must trust Africa, especially their youth and women, to face the upcoming challenges.