President Bola Tinubu has called for greater economic cooperation across Africa, urging leaders on the continent to pursue policies that promote industrial growth, regional development and stronger integration.
Tinubu made the call on Tuesday while leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The summit, jointly hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, attracted leaders and senior government officials from more than 30 countries to deliberate on Africa’s economic future and development agenda.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Youssouf, delivered opening remarks at the gathering.
During the summit, Tinubu also held separate meetings with Madagascar’s President, Michael Randrianirina, and President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to host the 2026 CAF Awards.
Speaking on Africa’s maritime potential, Tinubu described the blue economy as a major driver of growth for the continent, noting that insecurity and uncertainty had discouraged investment in maritime and ocean-based industries for years.
He announced Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen regional maritime cooperation by making the country’s Deep Blue Project intelligence infrastructure available as a shared resource for interested Gulf of Guinea nations.
According to him, African countries must develop harmonised regulations, interoperable systems and coordinated enforcement structures to improve maritime security and attract private sector investment.
The president added that Nigeria would continue pursuing port modernisation and digital transformation in line with climate-friendly development goals.
Tinubu stressed that Africa must take full ownership of its maritime resources, insisting that the continent’s oceans should be protected through stronger institutions, legal systems, regional solidarity and effective security collaboration.
Addressing global financial reforms, Tinubu argued that the existing international financial structure remained unfair to developing countries, particularly African nations striving for industrialisation and economic competitiveness.
He pointed out that Africa contributes less than two per cent to global manufacturing output because many countries on the continent still depend heavily on exporting raw materials while importing finished goods.
The president also referenced Nigeria’s recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates and the recapitalisation of banks, saying the measures were aimed at rebuilding investor confidence and strengthening the economy.
Despite these reforms, Tinubu noted that African countries still faced extremely high borrowing costs, which continued to hinder industrial expansion and development investments.
He questioned how African manufacturers could compete globally when financing costs on the continent were significantly higher than those in Europe, Asia and North America.
According to him, African nations were not asking for charity but a fair financial environment that would allow them to refine crude oil, process minerals, manufacture pharmaceuticals and compete effectively in international markets.
On migration, Tinubu said governments and development partners must focus on addressing the root causes of irregular migration through investments in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, digital skills and job creation.
He urged development partners to channel part of their development assistance toward programmes capable of reducing unemployment and economic hardship among young Africans.
The president also advocated stronger continental collaboration on migration governance, while supporting African Union migration initiatives and partnerships with global institutions.
Tinubu attended the summit alongside ministers, senior government officials and prominent Nigerian business leaders, including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.