Dr. Daniel McKorley, Group Chairman of McDan Group has urged African businesses and governments to adopt a global mindset while focusing on localized actions to enhance economic growth and integration across the continent. In his remarks during the second edition of the AfCFTA Business Forum, “Biashara Afrika 2024” (#BA 2024) in Kigali, Dr. McKorley stressed the importance of seizing international trade opportunities while building strong local industries capable of competing globally.
This year’s forum, themed “Dare to Invent the Future of AfCFTA,” provided a platform for dialogue between key stakeholders from the public and private sectors on the challenges and opportunities of building regional and continental value chains. These efforts, Dr. McKorley noted, are essential to unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade.
He encouraged African businesses to align themselves with international market demands while developing industries and fostering innovation within the continent. He explained that by doing so, Africa could position itself as a competitive force in global markets, leveraging its rich resources and talent.
He also emphasized the transformative potential of AfCFTA as a framework to boost intra-African trade and better integrate African businesses into global value chains. To achieve this, Dr. McKorley called on African governments to reduce trade barriers, promote cross-border collaboration, and create an enabling environment for local businesses to thrive.
Local industries, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology, were identified by Dr. McKorley as key drivers of Africa’s economic transformation. He urged for greater investments in infrastructure, skills development, and innovation hubs to empower local businesses to scale up and compete internationally. “We need to strengthen our local industries by investing in people, technology, and infrastructure. These are the building blocks of a thriving economy that can stand up to global competition,” he remarked.
