Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on African leaders to prioritise economic development, institution-building and human capital development in order to unlock the continent’s vast potential.
Obi made the call while speaking at the Spier Dialogue Event on “Policies for Growth in Africa” held in Cape Town, South Africa, where he delivered a guest lecture on the future of the continent.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Obi said Africa possesses enormous natural and human resources and therefore has no justification for remaining poor.
According to him, the continent is endowed with huge mineral deposits, vast uncultivated arable land and a youthful population that should serve as a catalyst for economic transformation.
He, however, blamed Africa’s developmental setbacks on corruption, weak institutions, poor governance and excessive focus on politics rather than production and development.
The former presidential candidate stressed that African countries must invest aggressively in education, healthcare and poverty reduction if the continent is to achieve sustainable growth.
Obi noted that many African nations still struggle with low life expectancy, rising unemployment, high infant mortality and worsening poverty despite their abundant resources.
He also expressed concern over the challenges facing small and medium-scale businesses, saying harsh economic conditions, poor infrastructure and policy inconsistency continue to undermine entrepreneurship and economic productivity across the continent.
According to him, Africa requires visionary and competent leadership committed to reducing the cost of governance, strengthening institutions and creating enabling environments for businesses to thrive.
“A New Africa is Possible,” Obi declared.
Meanwhile, Obi disclosed that he also held meetings with former Botswana President Ian Khama and former South African President Thabo Mbeki before departing Cape Town for Johannesburg.
He said the engagement provided an opportunity to appreciate both leaders for their commitment to peace, unity and stability across Africa, particularly their recent comments on immigration-related issues in the region.
Obi described the two former presidents as highly respected African leaders whose contributions to governance and continental development continue to inspire many across Africa.
He further revealed that he reunited with former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, during the Africa Day lecture organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.
Fayemi delivered the keynote address at the event, which focused on rebuilding African unity and revitalising institutions across the continent.
Leave a Reply