African leaders urged to unite for economic, global influence

Nigerian tech entrepreneur Osita Oparaugo has urged African leaders to unite economically, rather than seeking global recognition through diplomatic appeals. Speaking after recent calls for greater UN Security Council representation and a stronger African voice at the UN General Assembly, Oparaugo argued that Africa's inability to organize its collective economic and political power is its greatest challenge.

He emphasized that Africa has the natural resources, population, markets, and human capital to become a global economic leader, but is undermined by political division, restrictive borders, and limited intra-African trade. Oparaugo criticized the repeated calls for Security Council reform and reparations without corresponding efforts to boost Africa's economic independence.

Drawing lessons from China's transformation, he urged African leaders to invest in manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, and domestic industrial capacity, rather than relying on international recognition. He also called for a shift in Africa's relationship with foreign investors, recommending that governments make local processing, job creation, and technology transfer central to agreements granting access to natural resources.

Oparaugo emphasized the need to move from resource extraction to value creation, urging the continent to stop exporting its wealth and importing its value. He criticized restrictions hindering free movement of people, goods, services, and capital across Africa and called for faster implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, improved cross-border payment systems, and more freedom of movement.

Oparaugo highlighted Africa's youthful population as its greatest long-term economic advantage, urging governments to prioritize human capital development alongside industrialisation.