**Fatshimetrie: Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi highlights the importance of local transformation of African resources at COMESA summit**
At the recent COMESA summit in Bujumbura, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi highlighted a crucial aspect of Africa’s economic development: the need to break the cycle of dependence on the export of raw materials. Advocating for the strengthening of local value chains to transform and enrich resources on the continent, he stressed that this approach could not only foster prosperity, but also create jobs and provide future prospects for African youth.
In a context where many African countries continue to face security challenges and the consequences of armed conflicts, President Tshisekedi stressed the importance of peace to serenely envisage economic and social development. He recalled that regional stability is a prerequisite for promoting trade, regional integration and the development of value chains in key sectors such as agriculture, mining and tourism.
President Tshisekedi’s vision for Africa is based on an approach of collaboration and solidarity between the countries of the continent. He stressed the willingness of the Democratic Republic of Congo to work in partnership with its neighbors to develop its agricultural and mining potential and integrate its resources into regional value chains. This regional cooperation is essential to ensure solid food and energy security, and to stimulate sustainable economic development in Africa.
The XXIII COMESA Summit was thus an opportunity to highlight the importance of accelerating regional integration through the development of regional value chains. By promoting economic diversification, local processing of resources and job creation, this approach could help boost the African economy and stimulate sustainable growth on the continent.
In conclusion, President Tshisekedi’s speech at the COMESA Summit highlighted the urgency of rethinking economic models in Africa by promoting local transformation of resources and strengthening value chains. By placing peace, regional cooperation and sustainable development at the heart of his vision for Africa, President Tshisekedi recalled that the future of the continent requires a holistic and inclusive approach that places common interests above individual considerations.