President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African countries to prioritise the continent’s economic interests by deepening intra-African trade, strengthening regional partnerships and investing more in local businesses and infrastructure capable of driving long-term prosperity across the continent.
Tinubu made the remarks while speaking at the Presidential Panel of the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, where African leaders, investors and business executives gathered to discuss strategies for accelerating economic growth and regional integration.
The Nigerian leader stressed that Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic scale by depending primarily on external markets and foreign partnerships, insisting that the continent must first build stronger internal economic cooperation among its nations.
“Our continent cannot build scale by looking outward first. 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.
The President said Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are designed not only to address longstanding structural challenges but also to position the country as a major economic force in the future of Africa’s emerging integrated market.
“Nigeria’s reforms are not only about fixing yesterday. They are about preparing our economy to lead in the Africa of tomorrow,” he stated.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital trade, shared infrastructure, improved logistics systems, commodities exchange and stronger private-sector collaboration as critical tools for unlocking Africa’s economic potential.
According to him, Africa possesses the population, talent and natural resources required to compete globally if countries on the continent work together more effectively.
“With AfCFTA, digital trade, shared infrastructure, stronger logistics, commodities exchange, and deeper private sector partnerships, we can turn Africa’s population and resources into real continental prosperity,” the President said.
He also urged the global financial system to adopt fairer frameworks that recognise Africa’s unique economic realities and development needs.
“The global risk and financial architecture must also give Africa a fair deal that recognises our local nuances and contexts,” Tinubu added.
The President used the opportunity to commend Rwandan President Paul Kagame for hosting the summit and for what he described as Rwanda’s strong leadership and disciplined approach to development.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with Rwanda and other African nations to deepen economic cooperation and regional integration.
“Nigeria will continue to work with Rwanda and other African partners to build a continent that produces more, trades more, connects better, and competes with greater confidence in the world,” he stated.
The President concluded by urging African countries to take collective ownership of the continent’s future, warning that prosperity and development would not come automatically without deliberate action and cooperation.
“Africa’s future will not be handed to us. We must build it, own it, and defend it together,” Tinubu declared.
