Tinubu Urges African Nations to Deepen Intra-Continental Trade, Economic Cooperation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African countries to prioritise intra-continental investment, trade, and infrastructure development as a pathway to sustainable prosperity and economic independence.

Speaking at the Presidential Panel of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Tinubu said Africa must stop looking outward first and instead strengthen economic cooperation within the continent.

“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,” the President said.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are aimed not only at addressing immediate domestic challenges but also positioning the country for leadership in Africa’s future economic landscape.

According to him, instruments such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, digital trade, shared infrastructure, stronger logistics systems, commodities exchange, and deeper private sector partnerships would help unlock Africa’s economic potential.

He also called for reforms in the global financial system, insisting that international financial and risk frameworks must better reflect Africa’s realities and development needs.

“The global risk and financial architecture must also give Africa a fair deal that recognises our local nuances and contexts,” he stated.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with Rwanda and other African nations to build a continent that is more productive, interconnected, and globally competitive.

“Africa’s future will not be handed to us. We must build it, own it, and defend it together,” Tinubu added.