Uganda has called on African countries to protect their natural resources, strengthen regional trade and intensify the fight against corruption as key steps towards achieving sustainable economic growth and industrial development across the continent.
The call was made by the state minister for Finance (General Duties), Cissy Mulondo, during a high-level African Union ministerial meeting held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from July 20 to 24, 2026.
Mulondo represented Uganda at the joint meeting that brought together the 9th Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the 5th Session of the STC on Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals.
Mulondo said African countries must safeguard their natural resources because they are a major driver of economic transformation and sustainable development.
She said proper management and conservation of natural resources would not only support industrialisation but also strengthen the tourism sector, which remains one of the continent’s biggest sources of employment and foreign exchange earnings.
Mulondo also urged African governments to step up efforts to eliminate corruption, saying it continues to undermine economic progress by diverting public resources, discouraging investment and weakening institutions.
She noted that addressing corruption would improve service delivery, increase investor confidence and accelerate development across the continent.
The minister further called for stronger regional integration through increased trade among African countries. She encouraged governments to promote regional cooperation and improve communication among member states to facilitate trade and deepen economic ties across the continent.
According to Mulondo, stronger regional markets will help African countries increase the value of locally produced goods, create jobs and reduce dependence on imports from outside the continent.
The week-long ministerial meeting focused on strategies to accelerate Africa’s industrial transformation and economic development through stronger policy coordination, increased investment and regional integration.
One of the key issues discussed was industrial financing, with ministers exploring ways of mobilising domestic resources, improving debt sustainability and attracting both public and private investment into the manufacturing sector.
Delegates also discussed the need for coordinated economic policies to strengthen regional value chains and accelerate the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The meeting also examined how Africa can sustainably utilise its abundant critical minerals to position the continent as a key player in the global energy transition while ensuring that local communities benefit from the resources.
The joint ministerial session brought together ministers responsible for finance, economic planning, trade, tourism, industry and mineral development from across Africa, alongside senior officials from the African Union Commission and regional economic communities.
