Kisumu, Kenya – Speaking at the Fourth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference in Kisumu, Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, the Secretary-General of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) called for greater recognition and support for African intermediary cities as engines of sustainable development and economic transformation.
Addressing a distinguished audience that included President William Ruto of Kenya, governors, and global development leaders, the Secretary-General emphasized the pivotal role of intermediary cities in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and fostering rural-urban connectivity.
“The successful Africities Summit 2022 in Kisumu demonstrated the untapped potential of African intermediary cities. They must be empowered to drive structural transformation and economic growth,” he stated, commending Kisumu as the first intermediary city to host the prestigious event.
The UCLG Africa chief also highlighted the importance of regional collaboration to turn colonial-era borders into opportunities for unity and development. “Cross-border decentralized cooperation can transform points of rupture into points of suture,” he said, quoting former Malian President Alpha Oumar Konaré.
The conference, supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), spotlighted infrastructure financing for subnational governments. The Secretary-General lauded Afreximbank’s partnership with the Africa Territorial Trade and Investment Agency (ATIA) and urged other African development banks to join the initiative.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General called for urgent implementation of the Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor (BCRUP) initiative, championed by President Ruto during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit. He sought Kenya’s continued leadership in addressing climate challenges, noting the disproportionate burden of climate impacts on Africa despite the continent’s minimal carbon footprint.
The Secretary-General concluded with a rallying call for collaboration, stating, “Through visionary leadership, Africa can turn the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into tangible realities that improve the lives of our people, particularly the youth.”
The AfSNET conference underscored the importance of aligning local governance and investment strategies to accelerate Africa’s sustainable development agenda.
