This article was produced with the support of AUDA NEPAD
During her recent official visit to Algiers, Ms. Bekele-Thomas engaged with key government officials to forge strategic partnerships that could reshape Africa’s infrastructure landscape and accelerate continental integration through major cross-border projects.
Strengthening African Unity Through Strategic Partnerships
The diplomatic foundations for these transformative collaborations were established during Ms. Bekele-Thomas’s pivotal opening meeting with H.E. Selma Mansouri, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of African Affairs.
Their comprehensive discussions covered collaborative opportunities across multiple critical sectors including education, infrastructure, innovation, and capacity-building – all essential components of sustainable continental development. This wide-ranging dialogue set the strategic framework for all subsequent ministerial engagements during the visit.
The meeting underscored Algeria’s deep commitment to African unity and development, with Ms. Bekele-Thomas extending best wishes for Algeria’s upcoming hosting of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, which promises to further cement the country’s role as a continental business hub and gateway for African economic integration.
Unlocking Algeria’s Technical Expertise for Continental Benefit
The visit’s other breakthrough came during discussions with H.E. Lakhdar Rekhroukh, Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, where both parties acknowledged that Africa has been underutilizing Algeria’s considerable technical expertise in infrastructure development.
“We recognized the need for the continent to benefit more from Algerian technical knowledge in infrastructure,” Ms. Bekele-Thomas noted, emphasizing the importance of leveraging homegrown expertise for African development.
The meeting focused intensively on advancing the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), particularly through two flagship initiatives that could transform regional connectivity: the ambitious Trans-Saharan Railway Project and a high-capacity Trans-Saharan Optic Fibre Broadband Project.
These projects represent more than infrastructure investments – they embody the vision of a truly integrated Africa where goods, services, and information flow seamlessly across borders, driving economic growth and regional prosperity.
Digital Leadership Takes Center Stage
Algeria’s commitment to leading Africa’s digital transformation was evident in Ms. Bekele-Thomas’s meeting with H.E. Sidali Zerrouki, Minister of Post and Telecommunications. The discussions resulted in concrete agreements to collaborate on digital infrastructure development, innovation initiatives, and comprehensive skills development programs.
“Algeria is leading the way!” Ms. Bekele-Thomas remarked, highlighting the country’s potential to drive connectivity and opportunity across the continent. The partnership will focus on expanding digital access and building the technical capabilities needed for Africa’s digital economy.
Significantly, both parties agreed to explore opportunities for expanding AUDA-NEPAD’s presence in Algeria, potentially establishing the country as a regional hub for the agency’s North African operations.
A New Chapter in Africa’s Development Story
These high-level engagements signal a new chapter in Africa’s development narrative, one where countries leverage their comparative advantages to benefit the entire continent. Algeria’s positioning as both a founding member of NEPAD and a key AUDA-NEPAD partner provides it with unique influence in shaping continental development priorities.
The agreements reached during this visit demonstrate how strategic partnerships between African institutions and member states can unlock previously untapped potential. As Ms. Bekele-Thomas emphasized, “Africa must benefit more from its talented experts!” – a principle that seems set to guide future collaborations.
With concrete commitments now in place across infrastructure, digital development, and capacity building, Algeria and AUDA-NEPAD are poised to demonstrate how African solutions can address African challenges, potentially serving as a model for similar partnerships across the continent.
As Africa continues its journey toward greater integration and prosperity, Algeria’s emergence as a strategic infrastructure and digital partner could prove pivotal in accelerating the continental transformation that millions of Africans eagerly await.
