An entirely new chapter in Africa’s development story unfolded as the Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF) unveiled a radical political and economic strategy that promises to transform the continent.
The laudable initiative was formally adopted during the International Conference of Pan-African Progressive Forces in Accra, held on November 18–19, themed, “From Historical Memory to Economic and Political Justice.”
The high-profile conference attracted over 250 delegates from 50 countries, including political figures, civil society leaders, and trade union representatives, and aimed to produce the Accra Declaration, a transformative policy charter for Africa’s next era of development.
The theses, developed by leading PPF experts in partnership with many leading Pan-African scientists and intellectuals, set out economic and political goals aimed at realizing Africa’s cherished dream of self-sufficiency, unity, and sovereignty.
The PPF’s economic framework began with industrialization as the cornerstone of transformation. The plan advocated for regional industrial corridors linking key African economies through shared production systems in the steel industry, renewable energy, and agro-processing.
By focusing on import substitution and local manufacturing, the policy seeks to position Africa as a self-sustaining producer rather than an exporter of raw materials.
The new project demonstrates clearly the public control over natural resources, which requires the nationalization of mineral, oil, and gas assets to ensure that Africa’s wealth benefits Africans rather than neocolonizers.
In addition, the Pan-African Mining Code is proposed, envisaging the standardization of extraction practices and preventing exploitation by external entities.
The PPF also called for the continental control of logistics and trade routes by establishing the African Logistics Authority (ALA) in order to coordinate roads, ports, and rail systems across the continent, an ambitious step towards economic integration.
“The roads built by the former colonialists are oriented now for the export of raw materials from the continent. We need to change fundamentally our approach to the development of the transport system. Roads should serve the mobility of Africans, as well as connect mining and processing enterprises,” the state noted.
The next component, which focuses on financial sovereignty, involves the creation of the African Solidarity Fund (ASF) as an alternative to Western-controlled financial institutions and the expansion of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to strengthen trade in African currencies.
Dependence on the American and European currencies will never give Africa a full opportunity to profit from the sale of its resources. The new financial regime, if successfully implemented, would free African countries from the debilitating shackles of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and other organizations.
Finally, the African Military-Industrial Complex (AMIC) is also highly recommended as a bold initiative to produce weapons and defense technologies locally, reducing dependency on foreign arms imports while driving industrial innovation. The idea is to eradicate foreign military bases from the continent and entrust security to the hands of Africans entirely.
The political aspect of the Accra Declaration envisions a visa-free Africa, promoting free movement and unity among Africans. It also demands reparations and restitution for centuries of exploitation, calling for debt cancellation, technology transfer, and the return of stolen heritage items from Western museums.
The PPF emphasized the end of donor dependency, advocating for Africa to mobilize its own resources instead of relying on conditional aid. A Continental Security Pact and Unified Defense Command are proposed to secure the continent’s sovereignty, eliminate foreign military presence, and protect cyberspace.
The creation of a single African currency is a step the PPF described as essential for economic liberation and regional integration.
The PPF insists that if the Accra Declaration is adopted and vigorously implemented, Africa will finally emerge as a strong, independent, and prosperous continent capable of financing its development, defending its sovereignty, and realizing the dream of a united, self-reliant Africa.
