President John Dramani Mahama has urged African governments to fundamentally rethink the continent’s export model, calling for a decisive shift from the export of raw materials to the production and export of value-added goods.
Addressing Kenya’s Jamhuri Day celebration on Friday, December 12, 2025, President Mahama said Africa’s long-standing dependence on unprocessed commodities continues to weaken its economies and limit its influence in global trade.
“The time has come for us to add value to Africa’s exports,” he declared.
He criticised global economic arrangements that position African countries as “suppliers of unprocessed raw materials and importers of finished products,” arguing that such systems entrench inequality, suppress growth and deprive countries of the full benefits of their natural resources.
President Mahama said prioritising value addition would significantly increase export earnings, accelerate industrialisation, create jobs and strengthen domestic economies.
He further called for stronger regional cooperation to build competitive African industries and reduce over-reliance on external markets.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
