NEW YORK – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has praised what he called “the inspiring progress and economic growth” achieved in Africa over the decades.
In his message on Africa Industrialisation Day, falling November 20, Guterres said: “From the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to the Continent’s young, innovative and entrepreneurial population, to Africa’s growing leadership in renewable energy, Africa is fast becoming an integrated global economic force across diverse sectors.”
This year’s theme emphasises the enormous potential of emerging technologies — especially artificial intelligence — to power African growth in green manufacturing, the UN chief added.
Artificial intelligence can sharpen the continent’s competitive edge in green manufacturing — boosting productivity, job-creation and African prosperity — while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he said.
In September, leaders adopted the Global Digital Compact to enhance global co-operation and capacity-building in groundbreaking technologies like artificial intelligence, Guterres said. The Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of artificial intelligence to give every country a seat at the AI table, he added. It also highlights how digital public infrastructure — like digital payment systems — can boost economic activity and regional integration, the UN chief noted.
“I urge Africa to seize this opportunity to harness the transformative potential of technology and drive inclusive and environmentally conscious development and economic growth. The United Nations proudly stands with all Africans in this essential effort.”
