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Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
VISITING Togolese President, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé says political cohesion among African leaders is required to accelerate regional industrialisation and economic integration.

Officially opening the 57th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2016 in Bulawayo, Gnassingbe said Africa had a huge potential for growth and only needed to liberate itself from the internal barriers.

Gnassingbe, who spoke in French with the aid of an interpreter while addressing a bumper crowd that included President Robert Mugabe and other top dignitaries, said a value addition anchored industrialisation strategy was the key for Africa’s economic emancipation.

“The key to employment creation and development is industrialisation. Industrialisation through value addition enhances increased earnings because we export something with added value instead of exporting raw materials. Industrialisation calls for certain strategies and that’s why we’ve to improve the business climate by having effective, efficient administration in place, fight corruption and have competitive tariffs,” he said.

Gnassingbe said economic integration was a must and stressed the need to push the ideals of a common market through free trade.

Regional bodies such as Comesa, Sadc and Ecowas are already spearheading integration efforts that seek to propel Africa into a giant economic power house.

The Togolese President, however, warned that a common market without a robust industrial base would remain a pipe dream.

He said Africa should move with speed and address the inherent barriers in order to be relevant to the realities of a competitive global economy.

“Integration is a dream that Africa had prior to gaining independence from colonisation. We’re talking about free trade now because we’re living in a global village, which is a reality that we can’t run away from.

“Yet we inherited Africa, which was demarcated by borders, with restricted markets that couldn’t allow major investments,” said Gnassingbe.

He said reversing this colonial legacy needed political will.

Gnassingbe also said the industrial development agenda must be buttressed by development of relevant infrastructure and specific projects that complement such efforts.

He  said in West Africa for example there was no economic integration as evidenced by individual models of ports and lack of a linking  railway infrastructure between countries thereby depriving the countries of better earnings and business prospects.

“We need the kind of political will that can lead to effective trade, that is durable and flourishing,” said Gnassingbe.

He also bemoaned the skewed trading system in favour of developed countries saying it was the responsibility of Africa to improve on this through use of research and applied innovative research approaches that ensure efficiency.

Gnassingbe also said the continent must develop a financing structure for its economy through private public partnerships.

He said governments must prioritise the development of rural communities to alleviate poverty.

Reflecting on an earlier tour of ZITF stands,  Gnassingbe said he was impressed by the high quality of exhibitions.

He said the scope of this year’s showcase, which ran under the theme “Innovate, Integrate and Industrialise” was befitting given the global economic realities that require transformed models.

The Togolese President challenged Zimbabwean companies to embrace innovation and improve on product competitiveness to tap into the expanded export market.

He also urged the government to create an enabling business environment and crafting strategic policies to attract investment.

“From what I’ve seen at the ZITF I’m very optimistic that there’s hope. You’re a landlocked country but when I look at your industrial base I see that it’s varied.

“I saw a woman entrepreneur who makes clothes here in Zimbabwe that are of better quality compared to what’s imported. There’s every reason to be optimistic,” said Gnassingbe drawing applause from the large gathering.