Senyo Hosi calls for policy certainty, productive infrastructure and stronger human capital to transform Africa

Senyo Hosi, founder and executive chairman of Kleeve and Tove Ltd, urged African governments and businesses to collaborate more closely to transform the continent's economy. Speaking at the Students & Young Professionals Africa Liberty Academy (SYPALA) 2026 conference at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Hosi emphasized that clear rules, investment in public goods, and productive infrastructure were key to attracting investment and creating jobs.

Hosi identified five critical factors for sustainable economic growth and creating opportunities for Africa's growing population. The first driver, policy certainty and the rule of law, was essential for attracting investment. Investors were more likely to commit resources when they knew rules were reliable and enforcement was consistent, he argued.

Building institutions that reduced discretion and increased public trust was necessary to create predictable policies that encouraged long-term investment and gave entrepreneurs confidence to build enduring businesses.

Productive infrastructure, including roads, ports, railways, electricity, broadband, water systems, and logistics, was identified as a critical requirement for economic competitiveness. High energy costs and poor infrastructure could make African businesses uncompetitive, Hosi warned. Infrastructure planning should focus on productivity, value chains, jobs, and markets rather than just building physical assets.

Addressing the economic cost of poor transport systems, Hosi highlighted how long travel times reduced productivity and increased fuel costs. He emphasized that public policy decisions had wider economic consequences, and every decision within the public policy sphere had implications that should be considered carefully.

Recognizing Africa's young population as a potential economic advantage, Hosi stressed that the youth needed the skills, values, and opportunities to participate productively in the economy. He emphasized the importance of ethics, warning that weak ethical standards posed a serious challenge for businesses and public institutions.

Using a Canadian example, Hosi illustrated how trust and personal responsibility could reduce the cost of doing business, contrasting this with the challenges faced by businesses in Africa where staff debt was a burden.

Hosi urged young people to reconsider their attitudes towards wealth and status, emphasizing that energy should be directed towards productive activities rather than shortcuts. While acknowledging the ambition of young people, he emphasized the need to focus on meaningful, sustainable pursuits.