By Ebenezer Mabinuola
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, June 28, 2025, delivered a powerful keynote address at the 32nd Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Abuja, urging African leaders to commit to economic integration, institutional reform, and youth empowerment.
Describing the gathering as a pivotal moment for the continent, Tinubu lauded Afreximbank’s transformation under President Benedict Oramah – from US$5 billion to over US$37 billion in assets, with more than US$140 billion disbursed to support trade and industrial growth. Nigeria alone, he noted, has received over US$52 billion in financing across key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and healthcare, funding projects like the Dangote Refinery, African Medical Centre of Excellence, and Africa Quality Assurance Centre.
Tinubu highlighted reforms under his “Renewed Hope Agenda,” including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and sweeping tax reforms. He cited 2024’s 3.4% GDP growth, rising oil output, moderating inflation, naira stability, and reduced debt servicing as evidence of progress.
He also outlined initiatives like a national consumer credit scheme, a new student loan program, healthcare centre upgrades, digital infrastructure expansion, and road projects including the Lagos–Calabar Highway.
Tinubu endorsed the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), announced Abuja as host city for the proposed Africa Energy Bank, and revealed Nigeria’s plans to become Africa’s fertilizer hub.
Cautioning against reliance on external powers, Tinubu urged Africa to define its own path. He issued a four-point call: fully adopt PAPSS, increase funding to Afreximbank, treat intra-African trade as a strategic imperative, and empower youth, women, and entrepreneurs.
“Let history record,” he concluded, “that in this room, African leaders chose to shape new realities.”
