Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum Presidential Panel yesterday evening in Kigali, I re-emphasised that Africa must put Africa first whilst creating opportunities for intra-Africa collaboration between our countries. 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. Nigeria’s reforms are not only about fixing yesterday. They are about preparing our economy to lead in the Africa of tomorrow. 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 global risk and financial architecture must also give Africa a fair deal that recognises our local nuances and contexts. 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. 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. Africa’s future will not be handed to us. We must build it, own it, and defend it together. ~ Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
