Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has tasked African countries on regional collaboration for economic growth, submitting that the continent’s “economic renaissance lies in extensive trade and not aid.”
The Governor made the submission in his closing remarks at the end of 2025 Commonwealth Investment Summit held in London.
Governor Mbah reputed for his multi-sectoral transformation in Enugu, argued that Africa had no reason to depend on foreign aid if it harnessed its potentials through regional collaboration.
According to him, Africa has all it takes to survive and cater for her needs instead of continued dependence on Western aid.
He said: “Africa has all it takes to build its own table. With a population of 1.3 billion, a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, and 65 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, we should not be waiting to be invited to the table—we should be building it.”
The Governor who took to his verified X handle, posted: “Today in London, during the second and final day of the 2025 Commonwealth Investment Summit, I gave the closing remark, charging Africa to embrace robust regional collaboration and trade facilitation. I reminded us that our economic renaissance lies in extensive trade—not aid.”
The Enugu State Chief Executive regretted that not much progress had been recorded in the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, nearly 10 years it was signed.
He called for action by Africa countries in promoting regional cooperation.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds great promise, but nearly a decade since its signing, much of its objectives remain unmet. Intra-African trade is still low, infrastructure is poor, and barriers persist across borders.
“We must stop paying lip service to integration. The EU succeeded by backing vision with law, infrastructure, and political will. Africa must do the same—prioritising unified frameworks, investing in key enablers, and fixing our education systems.
“AfCFTA must move from ambition to action. We must unite our markets and systems, unlock our potential, and take charge of our growth story.”
