Mashatile Calls for African Industrialisation and Unity as NEPAD Marks 25 Years

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged African nations to accelerate industrialisation, deepen regional integration and reject xenophobic violence as the continent commemorates 25 years of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Addressing the NEPAD@25 High-Level Business Breakfast in Cape Town on Thursday, Mashatile said Africa has reached a critical stage where discussions must translate into concrete action to achieve the ambitions outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development blueprint.

The high-level gathering brought together political leaders, business executives, development partners and policymakers, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who played a leading role in the establishment of NEPAD in 2001.

Reflecting on the launch of NEPAD in Abuja more than two decades ago, Mashatile said the initiative was originally designed to confront poverty, underdevelopment and Africa’s marginalisation within the global economic system.

According to the Deputy President, the founding vision of NEPAD remains highly relevant today as African nations continue pursuing a future built on economic independence, regional cooperation and people-driven development.

“As we celebrate Africa Month and commemorate 25 years of NEPAD, we are reminded of the goal of building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own people,” Mashatile said.

During his address, the Deputy President strongly condemned recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa and described xenophobic violence as unacceptable and inconsistent with the country’s democratic values.

While acknowledging concerns regarding undocumented migrants involved in criminal activities, Mashatile stressed that criminality must be addressed through lawful policing and judicial processes rather than through violence or mob action.

He warned that anti-migrant protests and xenophobic incidents undermine African unity and damage efforts aimed at strengthening continental cooperation and regional integration.

The Deputy President highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as one of the continent’s most significant opportunities for economic transformation, industrial expansion and intra-African trade growth.

However, he expressed concern that trade between African countries still accounts for only around 15 percent of total trade across the continent, far below the levels seen in other major economic regions.

Mashatile argued that Africa must move away from the long-standing pattern of exporting raw materials while importing finished products at far higher value.

According to him, this economic model weakens industrial development, exports employment opportunities abroad and limits the continent’s ability to create sustainable economic growth.

He called for stronger investment in regional manufacturing, mineral beneficiation and value-added industries capable of strengthening Africa’s productive capacity and reducing dependency on external markets.

Infrastructure development was identified as another critical requirement for achieving successful regional integration and industrialisation.

Mashatile emphasized that modern transport systems, ports, rail infrastructure, digital connectivity and reliable energy supply are essential for building competitive African economies.

He warned that ongoing energy shortages and infrastructure deficits continue to undermine manufacturing growth, industrial productivity and economic competitiveness across many African countries.

The Deputy President also highlighted the need for significantly greater investment in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects, stating that Africa’s clean energy investment levels remain too low compared to global standards.

On international economic governance, Mashatile called for reforms to institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to ensure fairer representation for African countries and financing systems that better reflect the realities of developing economies in the Global South.

As chair of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Ministerial Follow-up Committee, Mashatile said South Africa intends to use its leadership role to accelerate implementation of the continent’s long-term development goals during the current “Decade of Acceleration” spanning 2024 to 2033.

He pointed to sectors such as South Africa’s automotive industry, renewable energy transition, mineral beneficiation capabilities and digital economy as areas that could contribute to broader regional industrial development.

The Deputy President also linked economic development to peace and political stability, stressing that sustainable growth cannot occur in regions affected by conflict and instability.

Referring to his role as South Africa’s special envoy to South Sudan, Mashatile reiterated calls for peaceful resolution of conflicts across the continent and internationally.

He extended South Africa’s support for peace efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East and instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Concluding his address, Mashatile urged African governments, investors, businesses and institutions to act decisively and urgently in building a more self-reliant and economically integrated continent.

He stressed that Africa possesses the resources, human capital and strategic potential necessary to shape its own development future, but emphasized that implementation and political commitment are now critical.

Analysts note that the Deputy President’s remarks reflect growing momentum within African leadership circles toward industrial policy reform, regional economic integration and stronger African-led development strategies in response to shifting global economic dynamics.