Zambia’s finance minister, Musokotwane, knocks Delphi economic forum for ignoring Africa’s investment potential

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, has criticised participants at the 10th Delphi Economic Forum in Greece for neglecting Africa in discussions on global trade and investment.

Speaking during a panel session, Musokotwane said Africa was being sidelined despite growing concerns about doing business in traditional markets like the United States.

He urged investors to recognise Africa as the next frontier for economic partnerships.

“Europeans need to be courageous. You need to be brave—take on Africa. If you leave Africa behind, you will be left behind because the rest of the world is engaging with Africa,” he said.

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Musokotwane expressed concern that while speakers at the forum discussed expanding trade with Asia and Latin America, Africa was largely absent from the conversation.

“Speaker after speaker talked about how they are going to develop markets in Asia, Latin America, and other places. But hardly anyone mentioned Africa—a continent of the future with a population projected to rival China’s,” he said.

He noted that major global powers, including China, the United States, Russia, the European Union, and Gulf countries, have established structured programmes to engage with Africa.

Musokotwane cited China’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which carries a US$40 billion investment portfolio, and the European Union’s strategy on critical minerals and infrastructure.

“In Brussels, there is a clear EU strategy on critical minerals and infrastructure engagement with Africa. But here—there is silence,” he added.

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