Mbeki: agriculture is central to Africa's development

"As all the delegates know, the majority of the peoples of Africa earn their living from agricultural activity, principally in subsistence agriculture," said Mbeki. "Thus it is obvious that virtually all the principal challenges our continent faces [...] and, accordingly can only be solved within the context of the positioning of agriculture as a central driver in the process of the renewal and development of African society," he said.

The former president told delegates that Africa doesn't need encouragement from the rest of the world to address its problems. "It is true that Africa continues to face many challenges, especially relating to issues of democracy, peace and stability. As Africans, and as I have said, we are firmly determined resolutely and urgently to address all these matters, especially through the structures of the African Union, in our own interest, without any arrogant prompting by our international partners."

According to Mbeki, Africa's economic growth since the 1990s was not accidental. "It was the outcome of purposeful actions by the governments and peoples of Africa to change their condition in a positive direction, relating to the issues of governance and peace, as well as the important matters of economic policy and practice." Mbeki said that the continent has "entered a new era to which all forward-looking investors should pay close attention", says howwemadeitinafrica.com.

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