Over the decades, South-South cooperation has become a powerful driver of development

In Africa, for more than 40 years, the forward-thinking visions of a handful of heads of state, combined with the maturity and pragmatism of public institutions, have accelerated dialogue between countries. In the wake of this momentum, major initiatives have emerged, particularly in financing, energy interconnection, the establishment of transport and logistics corridors, and the digitization of public services.

This trend is set to grow with structural projects such as the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline, initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. By 2030, this plug-and-play maritime infrastructure will connect no fewer than 13 African countries and offer Europe a strategic energy alternative.

The momentum for South-South cooperation on the continent today illustrates a shared desire among governments and the private sector to develop African responses to African challenges.

However, despite these advances, the road to effective African integration remains long. Dependence on external financing remains high, intra-African partnerships still represent only a fraction of the continent's potential, and the AfCFTA is struggling to fully materialize.

It is in this hopeful context that, since its creation in 2005, One África Forums has established itself as a privileged channel of dialogue between African governments and private actors for enhanced cooperation. Its position is neither ideological nor mercantile, but deeply pragmatic: to provide a framework where public and private decision-makers can compare their visions, identify common ground, and transform shared ambitions into concrete projects.

A 100% African institution, One África Forums has become the voice of South-South cooperation on the continent. With more than 400 meetings and forums organized—from Cairo to Kinshasa, from Tangier to Addis Ababa—the organization has brought together more than 100,000 government leaders, business executives, and institutional officials to discuss African development priorities.

We do not claim to have all the answers, but we do offer a space where ideas can be exchanged, enriched, and, sometimes, put into practice.

On this United Nations World Day, let us remember that South-South cooperation is not a slogan. It is an economic necessity, a requirement for sovereignty, and a collective responsibility.