Africa’s Blueprint for Global Prosperity: The Convergence of Infrastructure, Innovation and Capital Infusion
A Conversation Between John Wilson, Managing Partner, Skytop Media Group, and Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, International Development Expert, Former Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Africa Union / October 5, 2025
John Wilson: Welcome Dr. Abou-Zeid. It’s a pleasure to speak with you.
Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid: Thank you. I look forward to our discussion.
John: On Skytop’s website, you may have seen our tagline “Where Corporate Insight and Disruptive Ideas Converge.” Our conferences run across multiple disciplines, but disruption and convergence are always key, whether the topic is AgriTech, cybersecurity, or commercial investing in space, for example.
Amani: That’s the kind of interdisciplinary thinking we need more of. I approach conversations like this as discussions, not scripts. The goal is to engage, exchange ideas, and be open to unexpected but relevant topics. If you’ve seen my talks at WEF or the UN or other international fora, you’ll know I don’t always read from a script. Even with prepared speeches, I often diverge to respond to the moment.
John: So, let’s start by you telling me about yourself.
Amani: Now, about my background, I’m an electrical engineer, and I’m proud of that. I have two declared biases: I’m a woman who champions women’s rights, and I’m an engineer who believes in delivery and precision. Engineering isn’t about talk; it’s about results. I value the analytical mindset it instills. I started in telecom, working in France for a major multinational. I was the only one woman engineer in the team then. But I felt I could do more—engage with people, make the work more relevant to society.
John: That’s an interesting shift, from technical mastery to human impact.
Amani: That’s why my first master’s was in Project Management for African Development. I wanted to bridge the technical with the developmental, the social development and economic development. And later a PhD in socio economic development. That is our work.
John: You speak to a kind of self-reliance that is also about service. It's about building something that matters to people. You’re not just delivering infrastructure, you’re delivering opportunity.
Amani: That’s the essence. You can build a road, but if it doesn’t lead someone to a school, a hospital, a market, or a job, then what have you really built? It’s not about the concrete; it’s about the connection. And that’s why I always say, even when I’m working with highly technical teams, we must never forget the human purpose behind the project. We’re not just engineers or economists; we’re agents of development. And development is always about people.
John: You have a rigorous technical foundation, but with it you bring vision with empathy and a sense of responsibility.
Amani: It’s what keeps me going. I’ve never stopped learning, never stopped working. I’ve studied while working, worked while studying, and I’ve done that for years. Because I believe in the power of knowledge, but also in the power of action. And when I went to Harvard, my focus was international development. Because I knew that no matter how advanced our tools become, we still need partnerships, we still need collaboration. We still need each other.
John: Many people talk about de-globalization, isolation, fragmentation.
Amani: Politics may shift, policies may change, but the reality is that we’re interconnected. And every time there’s a global crisis, we’re reminded of that. Whether it’s a pandemic, a climate disaster, or a conflict, we realize no one can do it alone. It takes a village. Always.
John: And that village mindset is something that perhaps is needed to bring into every sector. Whether it’s agriculture, technology, governance, or investment, it’s not just about silos. It’s about the synergies they bring together.
Amani: Indeed, it is. That is why I like to build bridges and connections among constituencies, professions, nations or organisations.
John: When you speak about the African Continental Free Trade Area, or the single aviation market, or the energy grid—it’s not just about internal development. It’s about creating a platform for global engagement.
Amani: Exactly. And it’s happening. We’re seeing African nations come together to create unified markets, harmonized regulations, and shared infrastructure. That’s not just good governance—it’s smart economics and politics. And it’s driven by a vision of self-reliance, security, regional integration, and global competitiveness.
John: It’s not just about big systems—it’s about the people. You speak about how clean cooking isn’t a technological challenge. It’s a distribution and prioritization challenge. And when you solve that, you unlock education, health, gender equity, and climate resilience—all at once.
Amani: That’s the butterfly effect. One small change, like replacing a wood-burning stove, can ripple through a community, a region, a nation. Girls go to school. Women start businesses. Families stay healthy. And yes, the climate benefits too. It’s not just a humanitarian issue—it’s a strategic one. That’s why I pushed so hard to make clean cooking a priority. And why I’m proud to have seen real commitments, real funding, and real momentum before the end of my mandate. Because when you see change with your own eyes, when you see lives improving, that’s what makes all the effort worth it.
John: It becomes tangible. It needs to be implemented.
Amani: To navigate, yes. But when it comes to continental initiatives, like energy access, infrastructure, or trade, we work toward consensus. That’s the African way. We debate, we negotiate, and we compromise. And once we reach agreement, we move forward together in a concerted manner. That’s how we’ve been able to achieve things like the African Continental Free Trade Area in record time. It’s not that we don’t have differences, of course we do. But we’ve built mechanisms to manage those differences constructively.
John: Considering the scale, Africa has 54 countries, each with its own history, culture, and priorities. To find unity in that diversity is no small feat.
Amani: It’s not. But it’s possible because we share a common vision. Agenda 2063 is our blueprint. It’s not just a document, it’s a commitment. Every country signed on to it. It reflects our aspirations for inclusive growth, sustainable development, and integration. And when you have a shared vision, it becomes a catalyst to align even the most complex initiatives.
John: And I imagine that shared vision also helps build trust—between governments, between regions, and between Africa and its global partners.
Amani: Absolutely. Trust is essential. And it’s built through transparency, accountability, and results. When we say we’re going to do something, like build a continental energy market, we mean it. And we show it. That’s why investors are increasingly confident in Africa. Because they see the progress. They see the commitment. And they see the returns.
John: And it’s not just about economic returns. Lives are improved. Communities are empowered. Futures are transformed.
Amani: Exactly. That’s the heart of it. Development isn’t just about GDP. It’s about giving people the tools, the access, and the opportunities to thrive. And when we do that together—governments, investors, civil society—we all win. You’re competing with your own past benchmarks, your own previous innovations. And in Africa, we’ve embraced that mindset. We’re not trying to replicate someone else’s path. We’re creating our own. That’s why you see so much creativity, especially among our youth. They’re not just adopting technology; they’re adapting it. They’re building platforms, apps, and systems that respond to local needs, local languages, local realities. That’s the power of leapfrogging. It’s not just about skipping steps. It’s about reimagining the journey entirely.
John: And it’s driven by necessity, ingenuity, and vision. You have spoken before about competing with yourself. Especially in a world that’s constantly evolving, that must be important.
Amani: Yes, it is. And that’s why Africa is so exciting right now. We’re not just catching up; we’re setting new standards. Whether it’s mobile finance, digital identity, or regional integration, we’re showing what’s possible when you combine ambition with collaboration. And yes, it takes a village. But when that village is united, focused, and determined, there’s no limit to what it can achieve.
John: You’re not just building systems, you’re building belief. You’re showing people—inside and outside Africa—that transformation is not only possible, it’s already happening.
Amani: That’s the goal. To inspire, to mobilize, and to deliver. Because at the end of the day, development is about dignity. By giving people hope and purpose and the tools to make things happen, you empower them to shape their own futures. And when we do that together—governments, communities, investors and innovators—we all rise.
And that shift, where energy became central to every conversation, is what finally opened the door for Africa’s energy agenda to be taken seriously. We had been advocating for years, laying the groundwork, building the frameworks. But it took a global crisis for the world to realize what we already knew: energy is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. And for Africa, it’s the foundation for everything—education, healthcare, industrialization, digital transformation, climate resilience.
Now, with the African Single Electricity Market, we’re not just talking about access; we’re talking about integration. We’re connecting power pools, harmonizing regulations, creating economies of scale. This is the largest electricity market in the world by number of participating countries. And it’s not just a vision. It’s happening. We’re building the infrastructure, attracting investment, and setting clear targets. In ten years, I see an Africa where energy poverty is no longer the norm. Where every child can study at night, every clinic can operate reliably, and every entrepreneur can power their business.
John: You’re not just painting a hopeful picture—you’re describing a roadmap. A strategy. A reality in motion.
Amani: Exactly. Hope without action is just a dream. But hope with a plan—that’s transformation. And Africa is transforming. We’re not waiting for permission. We’re not waiting for rescue. We’re building our future, with our own hands, our own minds, and our own partnerships. And yes, we welcome collaboration. But it must be on equal footing. Win-win. Respectful. Strategic.
John: It’s not just about optimism. It’s about ownership. Africa isn’t asking to be seen. Africa is showing up.
Amani: We are. And we will continue to. Because we know our worth. We know our potential. And we know that the future is not something we wait for. That's exactly why I’m looking forward to the AgriTech Global conference. Because even if the core focus is Agritech, the surrounding disciplines—digitization, robotics, energy efficiency, climate resilience—are deeply interconnected with the work I do. Agriculture today is not just about farming; it’s about systems, data, connectivity, and sustainability. And when you bring together experts from different sectors, you create the kind of convergence we’ve been talking about. That’s where innovation happens.
John: That’s the spirit of the conference. It’s not just about showcasing technologies, it’s about exploring how they intersect with governance, investment, and human development. Your perspective will resonate with so many of the delegates, especially those working on the social impact side of innovation.
Amani: I truly believe that when we bring diverse minds together—scientists, policymakers, investors, engineers—we unlock new possibilities. And if we keep the human dimension at the center of it all, then technology becomes a tool for transformation, not just disruption. That’s the kind of dialogue I’m excited to be part of.
John: I really appreciate the depth of insight you’ve shared. It’s been a privilege to have this conversation.
Amani: Likewise, John. Thank you for creating space for a real dialogue. These kinds of exchanges are what move ideas forward. I look forward to seeing how the conference unfolds and to continuing the conversation.