Sir Sam Jonah, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the African Trade Chamber, called for a more deliberate approach to African economic self-reliance during the opening of the Africa Trade Summit 2026.
His intervention focused on the changing global economic environment and the risks facing a continent that continues to export substantial raw materials while capturing a limited share of the value generated from them.
Industrialisation, in this context, is not simply a manufacturing objective. It is connected to economic resilience, employment, technology, value retention and Africa's ability to determine its position in global trade.
The message complemented the Summit's broader emphasis on beneficiation, industrial value chains and market integration.
For the Africa Trade Awards, it also underscored why recognition extends beyond commercial success alone. The Awards focus on contributions that materially strengthen the systems through which African production, finance and trade operate.
