Africa’s Untapped Potential and the Call for Structural Change
Africa possesses a vast amount of natural resources, with 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and 30% of global mineral reserves. Despite this, the continent contributes only a small fraction to international trade. This underperformance, according to Ambassador Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), stems from structural imbalances that continue to shape Africa’s role in the global economy.
Gatete made these remarks during the official opening of the 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa on November 10 in South Africa. The biennial conference, themed “Land Governance, Justice and Reparations for Africans and Descendants of the People of the African Diaspora,” aims to advance evidence-based land governance across the continent.
Harnessing Africa’s Agricultural Potential
“Africa has enormous potential for agricultural growth and future food production that must be harnessed,” Gatete said. He highlighted that despite its wealth, the continent contributes just 2% to global manufacturing output. The abundant land and resources remain underutilised, even as the world faces economic uncertainty, climate change, and geopolitical shifts.
“It is Africa—a continent rich in land and resources—that often bears the heaviest burden from rising debt, climate-induced displacement, and persistent inequalities,” he added. The conference theme aligns with the African Union’s 2025 Theme of the Year on reparations, justice, and healing. “Land governance, justice, and reparations are not debates of the past; they are imperatives for Africa’s renewal and fairness in global systems,” Gatete stated.
Land Governance and Institutional Frameworks
Recognizing the centrality of land to sovereignty, identity, and livelihoods, the African Union Commission, African Development Bank, and UNECA established the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC). The ALPC ensures that Africa’s land and resources primarily benefit its people. Through the ALPC, frameworks have been developed on women’s land rights, responsible agricultural investment, and conflict-sensitive governance.
Despite this progress, Gatete acknowledged that inequalities persist. “Centuries of enslavement, colonisation, and dispossession reshaped Africa’s economy. The same extractive logic now manifests in inequitable trade systems, inflated borrowing costs, and credit assessments that undervalue Africa’s potential,” he said.
Reforming Global Systems for Fairness
Gatete called for reforming the global financial and trading system, noting that illicit financial flows drain an estimated US$88 billion annually from Africa. Unfair credit ratings inflate borrowing costs and restrict access to long-term capital. “Justice will begin when finance becomes fair,” he said.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen land governance and tenure security, particularly for women, youth, and smallholder farmers. “Without secure land rights, there can be no food security, no peace, and no lasting development,” he said.
Leveraging AfCFTA for Economic Transformation
Gatete urged African countries to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to transform resource wealth into value-added production and regional value chains. “With a combined GDP of approximately US$3.4 trillion, the AfCFTA offers the scale needed to refine, manufacture, and trade African-made goods. Why should Africa export raw materials only to import finished products? When our land powers our industries, our industries will, in turn, power our people,” he said.
He further called for mobilising the African diaspora as co-architects of transformation, highlighting their capital, knowledge, and advocacy as key to connecting Africa with global innovation.
Investing in Technology and Sustainable Growth
Gatete stressed the importance of investing in technology, climate resilience, and youth empowerment to modernise land administration and promote sustainable growth. He reaffirmed UNECA’s commitment to supporting these priorities alongside the African Union, the African Development Bank, and the African Land Policy Centre.
Mzwanele Nyhontso, South Africa’s Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, echoed these sentiments, stating that equitable land management is essential for food security, social stability, and inclusive economic growth. “We must boldly accept that we still have a considerable amount to do in land reform and rural development,” he said.
Conclusion
The call for structural change, equitable land governance, and economic transformation remains central to Africa’s path forward. As the continent continues to navigate global challenges, the need for fairer systems, stronger institutions, and inclusive policies becomes ever more urgent. With the right strategies and partnerships, Africa can unlock its full potential and reshape its role in the global economy.