Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15 February 2026 – On the margins of the African Union Summit, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, underscored that Africa’s challenge is no longer a lack of opportunity, but the absence of prepared, bankable project pipelines at scale. He highlighted the critical role of Development Finance Institutions and strategic partners in closing this gap to unlock investment-led, green industrial growth.

The AfCFTA Secretariat convened the AGII High-Level Dinner Dialogue to advance discussions on leveraging regional markets and investment to support sustainable industrialisation across the continent.

Held under the theme “From Frameworks to Execution: Mobilising Regional Markets and Investment for Green Industrial Growth,” the Dialogue focused on accelerating project preparation, mobilising blended finance, and strengthening coordination among public and private actors. Discussions emphasised translating climate ambition into industrial competitiveness, job creation, and resilient economic growth through effective regional collaboration.