Africa-Press – Botswana. Speaking on the sidelines of the Innovation Africa 2025 Ministerial Summit, Dr. Poncelet O. Ileleji, CEO of Jokkolabs Banjul (Gambia) and advisor to NEPAD, emphasized the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to benefit Africa’s service industry.
He stressed the need for “digital sovereignty,” allowing Africa to control its own data through independent payment gateways.
Dr. Ileleji envisioned a pan-African data center facilitating transactions in local currencies based on real-time exchange rates, bypassing reliance on the dollar, euro, or pound.
“As long as we are able to do trading from a bank in Ethiopia to go to a bank in The Gambia without going through an intermediary, then that’s the best way,” he told. “I think AfCFTA is going to do that.”
đźź Referencing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Dr. Ileleji highlighted the need for easier intra-continental travel and greater youth unity.
đźź He praised the innovative contributions of young Africans, noting that those under 35 are driving much of the continent’s positive change. Development & Growth Productivity and Innovation.
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