Free Trade Could Help Turn Africa Into an Industrial Powerhouse, Political Scientist Says

Activating a free trade area could open the way for Africa to become an industrial powerhouse, according to Dr. Ismail Turki, a professor of political science.

Turki said Egypt and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recognize the scale of the risks and challenges facing the African continent.

His assessment placed free trade at the center of Africa’s industrial prospects, presenting it as a potential route toward a stronger manufacturing role for the continent.

The remarks paired that prospect with an acknowledgment of the difficulties Africa faces, highlighting both its industrial potential and the challenges ahead.