Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
President Tebboune: “The arteries of development and the keys to African integration”
Infrastructure development in Africa
Algeria’s constant support for the overall development process in Africa was reaffirmed, yesterday Tuesday, by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a speech delivered on his behalf by the President of the Council of the Nation, Azouz Nasri, at the opening of the work of the 3rd Summit on financing infrastructure development in Africa, which is being held in Luanda under the presidency of Joao Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and current President of the African Union (AU). The President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune wanted to “welcome the remarkable efforts made by the African Union Commission and the Nepad Agency, and wish them every success in the rigorous organization of this major continental event which arrives at a crucial moment and confirms our common desire to strengthen cooperation and intensify efforts to meet the current development challenges facing our continent,” he said.
The President of the Republic then continued: “Our meeting today confirms the deep conviction of our people that infrastructures are not only material structures, but also the arteries of development and the keys to African integration, and that they constitute the fundamental pillar for achieving the objectives of Agenda 2063 of the African Union and sustainable development at the global level.”
Algeria is convinced that true economic renaissance can only be achieved through the establishment of integrated and modern infrastructures, capable of responding to the aspirations of the people of the continent and adapting to the challenges of a changing world, explained President Tebboune.
He stressed that Algeria “remains convinced of the unity of African destiny and attached to the principles of solidarity and fraternity”.
He also recalled, in this context, that Algeria had initiated strategic mega-projects with a continental dimension, committing to mobilizing local resources and opening up to innovative and multilateral partnerships, in cooperation with regional and international supporting financial institutions. He also recalled Algeria’s commitment to playing an active role in supporting African development, through the launch and implementation of promising projects embodying its firm conviction that cooperation and integration constitute the most effective path to achieving common prosperity. Among these megaprojects, the President of the Republic cited the trans-Saharan road linking Algeria to five African countries, which contributes to opening up the Sahel countries, while transforming this corridor into a nerve economic and commercial crossroads.
He also mentioned the project to connect southern Algeria to the railway network, as part of a strategic vision aimed at extending this connection to neighboring countries in support of regional integration and common development, the road project linking Tindouf to Zouerate (Mauritania), financed by the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development (Aacisd), aimed at facilitating the junction between North Africa and West Africa, as well as the backbone project trans-Saharan fiber optic network, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting the digital economy in the Sahel to support global technological changes.
President Tebboune also highlighted the Nigeria-Algeria Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project via Niger, which constitutes a strategic link in continental cooperation in the energy field and in terms of strengthening the South-South partnership.
It was the President of the Council of the Nation, Azouz Nasri, representing President Tebboune, who took part, alongside the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of African Affairs, Mrs. Selma Bekhta Mansouri, in the opening ceremony of this four-day event, chaired by Joao Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. The Summit, which brings together more than 2,000 participants, should end with a “Luanda Declaration” and a “Final Communiqué” on the theme: “Capital, corridors and trade: investing in infrastructure for the African Continental Free Trade Area and shared prosperity”.
Lakhdar A.