Africa: UN Deputy Scribe, Oramah, Oyedele, Others Say Africa Must Own Its Narrative
[This Day] African leaders have challenged the continent's younger generation to take greater control of Africa's economic and political future by building institutions, businesses and productive capacity capable of competing globally.
At the conclusion of the Africa Diaspora Leadership Programme Young Global Leaders Convening in Lagos, fifteen notable figures emphasized the need for Africa to take control of its economic and political destiny. African leaders urged the younger generation to build institutions, businesses, and productive capacity capable of competing globally, moving beyond being defined by its challenges and natural resources.
The debate was led by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, who argued that Africa's struggle for influence is increasingly a contest over power, institutions, and who gets to define the continent's story. She urged Africans to demand the power to shape decisions at global decision-making tables, no longer being content with mere representation.
Mohammed highlighted that African countries collectively make up the largest regional grouping within the United Nations and have significant influence over global decisions. However, she warned that Africa often approaches international affairs as a recipient rather than a power broker, urging leaders to strengthen institutions, improve strategic coordination, and recognise their collective economic and political weight.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery was highlighted as a significant project that demonstrated Africa's capacity to undertake world-scale industrial ventures. The project's greatest impact lies in the psychological shift it represents, transforming the perception that Africa lacks the capacity to execute complex projects globally.
However, Mohammed warned against relying on isolated success stories, stressing the need to systematically build productive capacity. She called for greater control of Africa's financial resources, urging commercial banks to embrace developmental commercial banking to support long-term productive investments.
The Nigerian Minister for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, emphasized the responsibility of governments to create an environment that enables entrepreneurs to build businesses on a large scale, describing Dangote as a fighter who never gave up. He argued that the government's principal responsibility is to establish policies and regulations that allow private capital to drive investment and create jobs.
The Rwanda Development Board CEO, Jean Guy Afrika, stressed the importance of building systems that allow businesses and investors to succeed without requiring exceptional individuals. He pointed out that Dangote's success at the refinery is exceptional, but the bigger challenge is to make it so that the next investor doesn't require exceptional access or patience for an investment to succeed.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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