AU Ambassador Yaghi Ibrahim calls for stronger local capacity in infrastructure development

Ambassador Yaghi Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of Bob One Trading Limited, is stepping up advocacy for stronger local participation in Africa’s infrastructure development, warning that the continent risks missing out on long-term economic gains if it continues to rely heavily on imported construction inputs.

Speaking in the context of growing continental efforts towards industrialisation, Amb. Ibrahim has been promoting policies that prioritise the use of locally produced materials and the development of indigenous construction capacity.

With more than two decades of experience in estate development and construction supply, he has built his company into a supplier of materials for major building projects across Ghana and parts of West Africa. His work has increasingly focused on positioning local businesses to play a central role in infrastructure delivery.

At the core of his advocacy is the push to align Africa’s construction sector with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to drive inclusive growth and reduce external dependency.

In his capacity as an AU Agenda 2063 Assembly Ambassador for Sustainable African Industrialisation and Infrastructure, Amb. Ibrahim has been contributing to policy dialogue on how to strengthen domestic industries and improve value retention within African economies.

He has argued that infrastructure development must go beyond physical construction to include the building of local expertise, supply chains and manufacturing capacity.

Amb. Ibrahim has also highlighted the importance of skills development, noting that sustained investment in training for artisans, engineers and other professionals is critical to improving quality and competitiveness within the sector.

In addition, he has been exploring opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand regional trade in construction materials, describing the initiative as a key platform for scaling up African businesses.

He has further called for the adoption of modern and sustainable building practices, including green technologies, as part of efforts to future-proof the continent’s infrastructure.

“We cannot build the Africa of 2063 with the materials and mindsets of the past,” he said. “Our future must be built on quality, innovation, and shared ambition.”