Nigeria has called on African countries on the verge of armed conflict to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue, warning that peace and stability remain critical to the continent’s economic development.

The call was made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria’s National Statement delivered by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, at the NEPAD Founding Member States’ Summit held in Alamein, Egypt.

The appeal came amid rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with Nigeria urging African leaders to intervene diplomatically and prevent disagreements between sister countries from escalating into armed conflict.

President Tinubu said Africa’s economic prosperity could only be sustained in a peaceful and orderly environment, stressing the need for stronger collective action to address terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and political instability across the continent.

He called for enhanced intelligence-sharing, stronger border management, increased investment in addressing socio-economic challenges and the accelerated operationalisation of the Africa Standby Force as part of efforts to strengthen peace and security.

The summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, marked the 25th anniversary of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD, which was founded by five African countries.

Tinubu described the anniversary summit as an opportunity for member states to reflect on NEPAD’s achievements, assess current progress and renew their commitment to Africa’s development.

He also commended Egypt for its hospitality and the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, for her leadership and achievements under the second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.

According to the President, NEPAD’s founding principle that Africa’s development cannot be outsourced remains relevant in the face of geopolitical tensions, climate change, technological gaps and difficult global financing conditions.

Tinubu said Africa was not short of development strategies, citing Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, but stressed that the continent must now move from policy formulation to effective implementation.

Nigeria proposed five strategic priorities to deepen cooperation among the NEPAD founding states and accelerate continental development.

They include full implementation of the AfCFTA to accelerate economic integration; closing Africa’s infrastructure deficit through cross-border infrastructure and strategic corridors; strengthening development financing and mobilising African capital; investing in education, science, technology and vocational training; and strengthening peace, security and good governance.

Tinubu further called for closer cooperation among the founding states in areas including trade, infrastructure, energy, food security, technology, development finance, human capital development and peace and security.

He said such a structured cooperation mechanism would complement the ongoing work of AUDA-NEPAD and the African Union.

Nigeria welcomed the Summit Declaration and reaffirmed its readiness to work with the other founding states to translate NEPAD’s founding vision into practical development outcomes capable of improving the lives of Africans, particularly young people and women.