Namibia’s Ambassador to France, Albertus !Aochamub, challenged global stakeholders to rethink their engagement with Africa, saying that the continent is no longer a future promise but a present force in the global economy.

!Aochamub said that Africa has been framed as a continent in waiting for too long.

He also pointed to the rapid growth of African fintech, creative industries, and digital economies, which are now exporting innovation, culture, and solutions worldwide.

Central to Africa’s economic momentum is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade zone in the world, connecting 1.4 billion consumers across the continent. “From trade to tourism, from digital industries to the blue economy, Africa is a powerhouse of opportunity,” he said.

Ambassador !Aochamub made it clear that Africa is not looking for aid or charity but for meaningful trade and collaboration.

He was speaking in Sandton, South Africa, at the Africa Business Opportunity Networking Day.