Time to transform Pakistan-Africa relations into dynamic economic partnership: President ICCI

ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP):President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood has called for a fundamental shift in Pakistan-Africa relations from traditional diplomatic engagement towards a comprehensive economic partnership focused on trade, investment, joint ventures, technology transfer and job creation.

Addressing the Pakistan-Africa Economic Council (PAEC) Conclave here, as guest of honour, he said Africa, with its 54 nations, vast consumer markets, abundant natural resources and young population, was no longer simply a market of the future but a market of the present, said a release issued here on Saturday.

He said Pakistan must build stronger economic bridges with Africa to diversify its export destinations and open new avenues for sustainable economic growth.

Sardar Tahir Mehmood said Pakistan had a competitive edge in a wide range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, surgical and sports goods, rice and agricultural products, engineering goods, construction, IT, education and healthcare.

However, he stressed that Pakistan’s ambition should go beyond simply selling products in African markets. “The real opportunity lies not merely in selling to Africa, but in producing with Africa,” he said, emphasizing the need to promote joint ventures, co-production, investment partnerships and technology collaboration.

Such an approach, he added, could create enduring commercial relationships, strengthen value chains and generate employment in both Pakistan and African countries.

The ICCI President also urged African businesses to view Pakistan as a gateway to South Asia, Central Asia and other regional markets, while Pakistani enterprises should be encouraged to establish a stronger commercial and investment presence across Africa.

He said Pakistan was standing at an important economic crossroads and needed new markets, new investment partners and new avenues for export-led growth, adding that Africa offered significant opportunities on all these fronts.

Sardar Tahir stressed that business councils and chambers of commerce could play a pivotal role in converting diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic outcomes. “Governments can open doors, diplomats can create connections, but business communities must walk through those doors and turn relationships into contracts, investments and jobs,” he remarked.

Highlighting the role of youth, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said Pakistan and Africa shared the advantage of having exceptionally young populations, which should be transformed into an engine of economic growth through cooperation in technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, fintech, innovation and skills development.

He envisioned a new generation of Pakistan-Africa entrepreneurs who could build partnerships through digital platforms irrespective of geographical boundaries.

“A young entrepreneur in Islamabad should be able to build a business relationship with a young entrepreneur in Nairobi, Lagos, Kigali or Johannesburg without waiting for a traditional trade delegation,” he said, adding that digital connectivity could become a powerful new instrument of economic diplomacy.

Sardar Tahir Mehmood also congratulated Chairman Pakistan-Africa Economic Council Shahbaz Ali Malik for convening the important gathering of policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and other stakeholders.