Amara said Africa’s representation in global AI governance mechanisms should better reflect its demographic weight and growing contribution to the global economy. The continent is experiencing steady population growth and has a young demographic profile, giving it a significant demographic advantage at a time when several regions around the world are grappling with aging populations.
He also highlighted Africa’s strategic role in major transformations in energy, digitalization and industry, supported by its reserves of critical minerals, including cobalt, manganese and other raw materials essential to the development of clean technologies, batteries and a low-carbon economy.
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This potential is further strengthened by the expansion of African markets, deeper regional integration and the gradual development of productive capacity. Africa also has significant potential in innovation and entrepreneurship, thanks to a young generation with creative energy, strong digital engagement and a clear focus on the future.
Addressing the changes brought about by artificial intelligence, Amara, who also heads the Union of African Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions, stressed the need to ensure fairer African access to digital infrastructure, technology, research systems, data and computing capacity, all of which have become essential to the development of the digital economy.
In this regard, Amara recalled King Mohammed VI’s vision of an Africa capable of making the most of its potential, drawing on its young population and using innovation and South-South cooperation as drivers of greater sovereignty and shared prosperity.
He also highlighted the strategic opportunities offered by China-Africa cooperation, calling for the growth in trade to be accompanied by partnerships focused more strongly on productive investment, technology transfer, innovation, applied research and skills development.
He pointed to the potential of building cooperation around the complementary strengths of China’s industrial, financial and technological capabilities and Africa’s human, entrepreneurial and economic potential, with the aim of supporting more sustainable and equitable growth and creating value.
On the sidelines of the forum, Amara held talks with Wang Dongfeng, president of the Economic and Social Council of the People’s Republic of China, to discuss prospects for cooperation.
Wang Dongfeng highlighted the strength of relations between China and Morocco, noting that the meeting comes as the two countries mark the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
He also praised Amara’s work at the head of the Union of African Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions, as well as the results achieved by the organization in recent years in strengthening cooperation among African consultative institutions and consolidating its position as a leading African platform for dialogue and consultation.
Wang Dongfeng particularly praised the key role played by Morocco’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council in the success of the fifth roundtable between the Union of African Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions and China’s Economic and Social Council. The meeting was held in Malabo under the high patronage of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea. It was the first roundtable of its kind to be held on the African continent and marked an important step in developing institutional China-Africa dialogue.
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The two officials welcomed the growing momentum behind the roundtable between the Union of African Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions and China’s Economic and Social Council, which has become a key platform for dialogue between African and Chinese consultative institutions over the course of its successive sessions. They also highlighted its contribution to strengthening China-Africa cooperation and supporting the priorities of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
They reaffirmed the importance of the platform as a forum for exchanging experiences, developing recommendations on shared challenges and bringing African and Chinese perspectives closer together on major economic and social transformations.
Regarding the sixth roundtable between the Union of African Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions and China’s Economic and Social Council, scheduled to take place in China in September 2027, the two officials agreed on the main themes to be addressed, particularly technological transformation and artificial intelligence.
