President Bola Tinubu has called on African nations to strengthen economic collaboration and increase trade within the continent to drive sustainable growth and development.
Speaking at the Presidential Panel of the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, Tinubu addressed political and business leaders on the future of economic development across the African continent.
In a statement shared via his X handle after the event, the president stressed that Africa must prioritise building internal economic strength instead of depending heavily on foreign markets and external partnerships.
According to him, African countries must create opportunities for businesses to expand across borders through increased intra-African trade, improved infrastructure connectivity, and stronger support systems for the continent’s youthful population.
“Our continent cannot build scale by looking outward first,” Tinubu stated. “We must invest in one another, trade more with one another, build the corridors that connect our markets, ensure our innovative youthful population get the support they need, and give African businesses the confidence to expand across African borders.”
Tinubu said Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are designed not only to address current challenges but also to position the country for leadership in the future African economy.
He emphasised the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital trade, shared infrastructure, stronger logistics systems, commodities exchange, and increased private sector collaboration as critical drivers for continental prosperity.
Tinubu also called for reforms in the global financial system, saying that Africa deserves fairer treatment that reflects the continent’s unique economic realities and development challenges.
“The global risk and financial architecture must also give Africa a fair deal that recognises our local nuances and contexts,” he said.
He further commended Rwandan President Paul Kagame for hosting the forum and praised Rwanda’s development model, describing it as a reflection of discipline, clarity, and effective execution in governance.
“I thank my brother, President Paul Kagame, for his warm hospitality and for Rwanda’s continued leadership in showing what discipline, clarity and execution can do for development,” Tinubu stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Rwanda and other African nations in pursuit of greater economic integration and continental competitiveness.
Tinubu further urged African leaders and stakeholders to take ownership of the continent’s future, insisting that Africa’s development must be driven by Africans themselves.
