President John Dramani Mahama has called for Africa to play a central role in shaping the global order, stressing that the continent is a source of solutions, opportunities, and influence.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit 2026 in Riyadh on the theme “The Future of Global Alliances”, Mahama said, “The future of global alliances cannot be meaningfully imagined without Africa. Africa is not merely a space of competition; it is a continent of solutions, opportunities, and rising influence.”
He highlighted Africa’s young population, vast natural resources, growing innovation, and expanding market of 1.3 billion people as key factors for its decisive role in the 21st-century economy.
Mahama also emphasised the importance of partnerships that go beyond trade.
“Africa welcomes global partners not merely to trade with, but to transform with through investments that builds industries, strengthens supply chains, and creates shared opportunity,” he said.
The President cited the Accra Reset initiative as a roadmap to transition Africa from dependence on aid to trade, investment, and global partnerships.
He further stressed the need for accountable governance, respect for human rights, strong institutions, and selfless leadership to ensure Africa’s full participation in shaping alliances.
“In Ghana we have established the Goldbod that has yielded more than $10 billion in less than a year. Our medium to long term goal is to process and add value to our mineral ores and agricultural products; gold, manganese, bauxite, lithium, petroleum, cocoa, oil palm, cashew, fruits, soya, cassava and other raw materials,” Mahama said.
He concluded that Africa deserves recognition as a partner in building a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous global system.
