Africa should be seen as strategic partner, not aid recipient, Algerian envoy says

Africa should no longer be seen solely through an aid-based perspective, but rather as a strategic partner and a continent rich with opportunities, Algeria’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Zakia Ighil said at an Africa Day 2026 event titled Rising Continent, Emerging Partnerships in Baku.

The diplomat said Africa’s future global influence would depend on boosting intra-regional trade, improving the movement of goods and people, and strengthening the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

She noted that the development of transport corridors, logistics networks, energy systems, and digital infrastructure is essential to improving the continent’s competitiveness and advancing economic integration.

At the same time, she stressed that economic diversification and industrial growth remain key priorities.

Ighil stressed that Africa’s abundant natural and human resources should be harnessed to support industrial expansion, innovation, and the production of higher-value-added goods.

She also underlined that peace, stability, and effective governance are fundamental to sustainable development, stressing that African-led solutions are crucial for addressing security challenges, particularly in regions affected by prolonged conflicts.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov