President Mahama’s Davos Speech: The Accra Reset and Africa’s Future

Published: January 22, 2026 | Category: Global Economy, African Development

Introduction

In a pivotal address delivered on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, former President John Mahama called for a fundamental restructuring of Africa’s economic and developmental strategy. Speaking at the “Accra Reset Convening,” Mahama outlined a vision for African sovereignty that moves beyond dependency on foreign aid and raw material extraction.

Against the backdrop of a shifting global order—characterized by declining multilateralism and rising transactional politics—Mahama argued that Africa must “pull itself up by its own bootstraps.” This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of his speech, analyzing the key points regarding the “Accra Reset Initiative,” the necessity for regional cooperation, and the practical steps required to secure Africa’s place in the 21st-century economy.

Key Points

Background

To understand the weight of this speech, one must look at the historical context Mahama provided. Born in the “heady days of post-independence Africa,” he described a continent that has navigated coups, the Cold War, and globalization. As Ghana approaches its 70th anniversary of independence, the narrative has shifted from the optimism of the 1950s to the complex realities of the 2020s.

The Global Shift

Mahama highlighted a critical turning point: the reduction of Official Development Assistance (ODA). With developed nations increasingly turning inward—prioritizing defense spending over foreign aid—Africa can no longer rely on the traditional humanitarian pipeline. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark warning; Africa was the last to receive vaccines, a vulnerability that Mahama attributes to a lack of indigenous manufacturing capacity.

The Legacy of the Global Fund

Mahama invoked the memory of Kofi Annan and the creation of the Global Fund as a precedent. Twenty years ago, leaders mobilized a cross-border response to HIV/AIDS that saved millions of lives. He contrasts this with the current geopolitical climate, where such unified action is becoming rarer, reinforcing the need for African self-reliance.

Analysis

The core of Mahama’s speech is a critique of the current economic structures that govern Africa. He identifies a “triple dependency” that he describes as a trap rather than a strategy.

The Trap of Dependency

Security: Mahama argues that relying on external actors for security solutions compromises national sovereignty.

Health and Education: When critical social programs are donor-funded, they are vulnerable to the shifting political winds of donor nations.

Resource Extraction: Perhaps the most critical point is the economic model where Africa supplies the world’s critical minerals but captures almost none of the value chain. This is not true economic sovereignty; it is a cycle of underdevelopment.

Democracy and Delivery

Mahama used his tenure in Ghana as a case study. He noted that in his first year back in office, Ghana has demonstrated that democracy works when government roles are focused and accountable. By reducing the cabinet to a record low of 58 ministers and deputies, digitizing services to curb corruption, and renegotiating debt, Ghana has stabilized its macroeconomy. However, Mahama was clear: “Ghana’s trajectory alone is not enough.” He warns against being a “jewel in the dirt,” advocating instead for a pan-African approach where success stories are scaled across the continent.

The Pandemic of Unfulfilled Potential

While the world fought COVID-19, Mahama identifies a lingering “pandemic of unfulfilled potential.” This includes:

• Millions of youth without jobs.
• Health systems that collapse at the first sign of crisis.
• Economies that extract resources but build no lasting industries.

The analysis concludes that if the world can mobilize to fight a disease, it is possible to mobilize to fight poverty and dependency—but only through a new “coalition of the willing” based on mutual respect.

Practical Advice

President Mahama moved from critique to construction, offering a five-point roadmap for the “Accra Reset.” This section breaks down these steps into actionable insights for policymakers, investors, and development partners.

1. Invest in Future-Ready Skills

Education must evolve beyond theory. Mahama calls for skills training that aligns with the real economy. This includes:

• Digital Literacy: Preparing youth for the digital economy.
• Green Energy: Skills required for the transition to renewable energy.
• Manufacturing: Technical skills to support industrialization.

Actionable Insight: Governments should incentivize vocational training centers that partner directly with private sector industries to ensure curriculum relevance.

2. Build Together (Regional Integration)

No single African nation can industrialize in isolation. The continent needs “regional prosperity platforms.”

Actionable Insight: Focus investment on cross-border infrastructure: regional power grids, digital infrastructure, and free trade zones that allow businesses to scale beyond their national borders.

3. Negotiate as One

Fragmented negotiation weakens Africa’s position. Whether dealing with mineral exports, trade tariffs, or climate finance, a unified front is essential.

Actionable Insight: Leverage bodies like the African Union and the African Development Bank to create collective bargaining power, turning unity into an “innovation tool.”

4. Produce at Home (Industrial Policy)

Mahama explicitly rejects the notion that industrial policy is outdated. From vaccines to semiconductors, Africa must move from consumption to production.

Actionable Insight: Governments must protect and nurture nascent industries until they are globally competitive. This involves creating “Prosperity Spheres” where technology is shaped by local priorities, not just imported.

5. Radical Accountability

Africa cannot demand global investment while tolerating internal corruption and waste. The “Reset” implies reform.

Actionable Insight: Implement transparent governance frameworks and digitization of public services to reduce human interference in bureaucratic processes, thereby reducing opportunities for graft.

FAQ

Conclusion

President Mahama’s speech at the Davos Convening was a call to action against passivity. He painted a picture of a world at an inflection point, where the old multilateral order is breaking down and transactional politics are rising. For Africa, the message is clear: the era of handouts is ending, and the era of self-determination must begin.

By presenting the “Accra Reset,” Mahama offered a tangible alternative to the status quo—a vision where African nations negotiate as one, produce what they consume, and hold themselves accountable. The speech serves as a reminder that while Ghana’s turnaround is a proof of concept, the ultimate goal is a continent that is not just surviving, but thriving. As Mahama concluded, the question is no longer whether the world needs this change, but whether we have the courage to build it.