Speaking at a high-level panel themed “Critical Minerals in Africa: Meeting Global Demand” at the on going Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C., United States, Alake emphasized that sustainable partnerships with Africa remained the fastest route to meeting rising global demand for critical minerals.

He called for the development of regional industrial corridors akin to the Lobito Corridor, noting that similar belts —such as the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, spanning Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as the Walvis Bay Corridor linking Southern and Central Africa to global markets—could unlock vast mineral potential across the continent.

According to the minister, such corridors would serve as economic catalysts by driving infrastructure development, enhancing energy access, and promoting regional integration.

“The development of nuclear power in one West African country, for instance, can service an entire corridor. With that in place, local beneficiation, technology transfer, manufacturing, and cross-border industrialization will naturally follow. If three to five such corridors are developed in Africa, we would significantly advance industrialization across the continent, creating a win-win outcome for both Africa and the West,” he stated.

Highlighting the impact of reforms under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alake noted that strengthened governance structures, improved regulatory frameworks, digitization of licensing processes, and enhanced ease of doing business have repositioned Nigeria’s mining sector as a key driver of economic diversification.

He explained that reforms introduced in the last two and half years now guaranteed mineral title holders secure tenure, thereby providing the long-term stability required for investment decisions.

In addition, Alake disclosed that the government was expanding the generation of scientific and  internationally certified geological data to support informed decision-making by both local and international investors.

On security, Alake acknowledged challenges within the sector but noted significant progress through the establishment of Mining Marshals.

He revealed that over 350 suspected illegal miners including foreign nationals had been arrested within one year, with more than 150 currently undergoing prosecution, asserting that this has sent the right signals that Nigeria means business.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to genuine investors, the minister emphasized strict compliance with local laws and regulations while outlining key investment incentives, including tax waivers on imported mining equipment and full repatriation of profits after due payment of royalties and taxes.

“We have successfully de-risked and sanitized the mining environment, making it conducive to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Within the last two and a half years, we have attracted over $2.6 billion in FDI into the sector,” he affirmed.

In her remarks, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Origination at the U.S. Export-Import Bank, EXIM, Sarah Whitten, noted that the mining sector required successful collaborations contingent on the commitment of participating governments and the sustainability of agreements beyond political cycles.

“American banks are ready to support projects, but our role is to catalyze and unlock private sector capital. There are institutions positioned to directly finance critical minerals projects. If we succeed in unlocking that capital, we have fulfilled our mandate,” she said.

Asides Alake, the panel session featured Guinean Minister of Energy, Hon. Sekou Camara; Managing Partner, Denham Capital, Carl Tricoli; CEO, ReElement Technologies Africa, Ben Kinkaid; Senior Vice-President, Global Head of Origination, US Export-Import Bank (EXIM), Sarah Whitten; Chief Strategic Development Officer, TechMet, Heliana Matza and Partner, Mc Dermott Will & Schulte,  Jahan Khandokar.

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Dangote, whose conglomerate spans cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, and petrochemicals, said his long term goal was to deepen Africa’s manufacturing base beyond oil refining and position the continent as a global industrial force.

His latest flagship project, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, is now operational and producing about 650,000 barrels of refined products daily.

He said output was expected to double within the next three year as expansion plans progressed.

However, Dangote in a recent interview with The New York Times, indicated that refining is only one phase of a larger vision.

“We have to industrialise Africa,” he said, noting that his next focus areas include the steel industry, expanding access to electricity and building additional port infrastructure to support large scale manufacturing and trade.

Industry analysts say entry into steel would position the group in a sector critical to infrastructure, housing and heavy industry, while investments in power and ports could address two of Nigeria’s most persistent constraints to economic growth.

Dangote cited India’s Tata Group as a model for diversified industrial expansion, describing the conglomerate’s multi sector footprint as an example of how large scale manufacturing can transform emerging economies.

Beyond expansion, Dangote said job creation remained central to his strategy.

With Nigeria projected to require between 40 and 50 million new jobs by 2030, he argued that large scale industrial projects are essential to absorbing the country’s growing youth population.

The refinery alone currently employs about 30,000 workers, approximately 80 per cent of them Nigerians.

Expansion across new sectors is expected to raise total employment within the group to about 65,000.

Dangote also announced plans to list shares in the refinery on the Nigerian stock market, a move that would broaden local participation in the asset.

Despite progress, he acknowledged that infrastructure gaps and crude supply challenges remained obstacles.

He has previously raised concerns about logistics bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the oil value chain that complicate feedstock supply to the refinery.

Nevertheless, Dangote said the group would continue to invest aggressively in sectors that reduced import dependence and retained economic value within Africa.

“Nobody dared to do it, so we did it,” he said, reiterating his belief that large scale private investment was key to transforming Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

With cement plants operating across multiple African countries and a refinery that has reshaped Nigeria’s downstream outlook, Dangote’s next push into steel, electricity and port infrastructure signals a new phase in his ambition to industrialise the continent.

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The feat was achieved during the just concluded 39^th session of the executive council of the African Union.

In a statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday, it was announced that a major highlight of the session was the council’s agreement to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank.

This landmark development underscores Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture.

The decision also extended Nigeria’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, which serves as the precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank.

The developments affirm Nigeria’s technical capacity, economic significance, and commitment to advancing Africa’s monetary integration agenda.

In the area of peace and security, the session witnessed the successful election of the candidates collectively agreed upon by the Economic Community of West African States to the Peace and Security Council.

The outcome, it was said, reflected the strong cohesion, cooperation, and unity among ECOWAS Member States, as well as the region’s shared commitment to promoting stability and collective security across the continent.

Furthermore, Nigeria was said to have demonstrated leadership in strengthening democratic governance across Africa by organising a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy.

The event attracted wide participation from ministers, senior government officials, and delegates, not only from the West African region but from across the continent and the international community.

The panel facilitated constructive dialogue on strengthening democratic institutions, fostering inclusive governance, and enhancing collaborative regional approaches to sustaining democratic values.

Nigeria’s engagements and outcomes at the 39th executive session of the executive council reaffirm the country’s commitment to the ideals and objectives of the African Union, particularly in promoting economic integration, institutional development, peace, security, and democratic governance across the continent.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, the minister said, remained dedicated to working collaboratively with member states and regional bodies to advance Africa’s shared prosperity and sustainable development.

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While Trump’s policies have strained ties with traditional U.S. allies, China has turned its focus to fostering ties with key partners, including Canada and India, analysts say.

As a result, the world’s second-largest economy’s trade surplus hit a record $1.2 trillion in 2025, monthly forex inflows touched $100 billion, the largest ever, and the global usage of China’s currency, the yuan, has expanded.

When British Prime Minister Keir Starmer lands in China on Wednesday evening hoping to reinvigorate recently strained business ties, analysts and experts say Beijing is expected to further expand its global political and economic influence.

Backed by its $20 trillion economy and $45 trillion worth of stock and bond markets, China is emerging as a “steady partner” for many countries, said Aleksandar Tomic, economics professor at Boston College.

“I think China has done a good job and rightly so to position itself as the reliable and stable trade partner,” said Derrick Irwin, co-head of intrinsic emerging markets equity at Allspring Global Investments.

“They basically said, look, you’ve got a massive trade partner in the U.S. that’s become a little more uncertain. We can offer predictability and certainty. And I think that’s very fair.”

Starmer’s four-day visit to China will be the first by a British prime minister since 2018 and follows that of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this month, the first Canadian prime minister to visit Beijing since 2017.

During Carney’s visit the two nations signed an economic deal to tear down trade barriers and forge a new strategic relationship. Carney described China as “a more predictable and reliable partner”.

But China is not alone in eyeing new trade pacts to de-risk from the United States. India and the European Union struck a long‑delayed trade deal on Tuesday that will slash tariffs on most goods, boosting two‑way trade to potentially double European exports to the South Asian country by 2032.

CHINA ECONOMY RESILIENT

While the world’s two largest economies have been locked in geopolitical disputes for the past few years, Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 sharply escalated tensions on multiple fronts, including trade and technology.

Trump raised tariffs on China to over 100% in April, before partially reversing and settling for a temporary truce, while Beijing boosted its exports to non-US markets and rolled out support measures for its private enterprises and markets.

Chinese shipments to the U.S. fell 20% in 2025, but rose 25.8% to Africa, 7.4% to Latin America, 13.4% to Southeast Asia and 8.4% to the European Union last year.

“Many countries previously have not been China-friendly are now kind of pivoting to China … because the United States is becoming a lot less predictable,” Tomic said. “The more the U.S. gets difficult to deal with, the more it opens up for China.”

Despite the trade tensions with the U.S., China’s economy, under deflationary pressure at home due to weak domestic consumption and a long-term property sector slump, has met the government’s target of 5% growth in 2025.

In recent months China has taken a raft of measures to boost foreign investment, including pilot programmes in Beijing, Shanghai and other regions to expand, opens new tab market access in services such as telecoms, healthcare and education.

The country recorded the largest-ever monthly forex inflows of $100.1 billion in December, according to bank settlement data from its forex regulator. Its official forex reserves hit a 10-year high of $3.36 trillion.

Its financial market has emerged robust from trade disputes with the Shanghai index climbing 27% over the past year, outperforming U.S. equities, the market turnover hitting a record high and the yuan expanding its global usage.

With the dollar becoming less appealing to investors due to Trump’s erratic approach to trade and international diplomacy, Beijing is also pushing ahead with its ambition to bolster the global usage of yuan, said bankers with knowledge of the matter.

Some of the big global banks are scrambling to boost yuan liquidity in offshore hubs and put in place frameworks for faster payment settlements in yuan in trade corridors of China and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, they added.

“We have seen quite a few cycles of China trying to internationalise yuan and then pulling back,” said a banker at a global bank with China presence. “This time it’s different … Trump policies are very conducive for boosting yuan usage.”

More than half of China’s cross-border transactions are now settled in yuan, from almost none 15 years ago, while nearly half of China’s overseas bank lending is now in renminbi, according to the latest data from the PBOC and SAFE.

CHINA CAUTION

But some foreign policy analysts caution against China’s new, friendlier economic and political playbook.

Despite the new trade pacts, Patricia Kim, a foreign policy fellow at Washington-based Brookings Institution, said distrust of the U.S. does not translate into trust in Beijing for U.S. allies and partners.

“Many of these countries harbour deep concerns about China’s approach to trade, its use of economic coercion, and unresolved maritime and historical disputes,” Kim said.

“In the current moment, China may appear more restrained or pragmatic when compared with the Trump administration’s extreme rhetoric and actions. But Beijing’s actual behaviour has not been especially reassuring.”

Source: Reuters

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President of the Group, Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed that the company’s long‑term direction was focused on building Africa’s capacity to feed itself, power its economy, and develop its people sustainably.

Revealing the group’s expansion roadmap, Dangote stated that Dangote Cement was targeting an increase in its production capacity to approximately 90 million tonnes by 2030.

He noted that the scale-up would position the company as one of the world’s most competitive cement producers.

“Our ambition goes far beyond building factories,” Dangote said. “We are building the structures that will enable Africa to feed itself, power its industries, and equip its people for long‑term prosperity.”

Highlighting plans under the Vision 2030 framework, Dangote explained that the goal is to transform DIL into a $100 billion enterprise by 2030 through sustained industrial expansion, cross‑border investments, and strengthening Africa’s independence in strategic sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

“Under this vision, we have announced the expansion of our petroleum refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day, and our fertiliser plant to 12 million metric tonnes per annum,” he said. “Our cement business is also on track to reach 90 million tonnes by 2030 — which means producing 50 per cent more than the entire cement output of Saudi Arabia.”

According to him, Vision 2030 forms a core part of the Group’s “Africa First” mission. “This vision is borne out of my firm belief that Africa’s future will be built by Africans who refuse to accept limits — people who dream big, work hard, and never stop believing in what is possible.”

As part of its long-term commitment to developing African talent, Dangote said he had announced a ₦1 trillion ($600 million) education fund in December 2025.

“Empowering the next generation is essential for building the Africa we envision. This fund is a major investment in the future of young Africans who will drive the continent’s transformation in the years to come,” he added.

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The ninth edition of the Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is once again a reminder that Africa’s music industry has never lacked talent, energy or global relevance. What it has often lacked are strong continental platforms that can outlive their moment and resist the familiar cycle of early promise and quiet collapse.

Tagged Unstoppable Africa, the series of events held in Lagos over five days from January 7 to 11, 2026, reflected the creativity, resilience and steady growth that have sustained AFRIMA for more than a decade. Too many promising platforms have risen, shone briefly and disappeared. That reality makes what AFRIMA represents far more important than trophies and red carpets.

“AFRIMA is not just about giving awards. It is about bringing Africa together under one roof to celebrate our stories, culture and future through music,” AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, said at the awards ceremony held at the Eko Convention Centre. “I am happy that we had delegates from at least 48 countries, including 1,216 artistes, delegates and production team members. Looking at the winners, all regions of Africa are represented, showing the growth of our music industry. Artistes from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and Ethiopia were among those who led in the major categories.”

Of course, AFRIMA is more than a prize-giving night. It is a week-long convergence of networking, masterclasses, business summit, concert and recognition. The ninth edition, initially scheduled for November 2025, reinforced why the platform remains relevant years after it was conceived to reward African musical creativity while promoting the continent’s cultural heritage.

The week opened with a reception hosted at the British Deputy High Commission residence in Lagos before moving into more serious engagement at the Africa Music Business Summit. Those conversations mattered. The focus was not fame or flash, but ownership, investment, copyright and sustainability. Dada put it plainly: “African music is not only about the songs and vibes but about building the business aspect of the industry.” That statement captures the core of AFRIMA’s purpose. The awards are not just a celebration; they are an attempt to build structure around a fast-growing cultural force.

In her keynote address, Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Anna Westerholm, described Africa, particularly Nigeria, as home to some of the world’s most exciting talents and urged African countries to deliberately leverage music for economic development. Speaking for the African Union Commission, Ms Angela Martins said music and the creative economy are vital tools for development, job creation and unity, stressing the importance of strong intellectual property frameworks and fair remuneration. On investment, Mr Mark Smithson of the British Deputy High Commission said Africa must look inward for funding, noting that over one trillion dollars in institutional capital exists on the continent and can be mobilised to attract further global partnerships.

The Lagos State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, reaffirmed its commitment to the sector, disclosing that the state invested N8.4 billion in creative industries in 2025.

Before AFRIMA, there were the KORA Awards, Channel O Africa Music Video Awards and the MTV Africa Music Awards among others.

Allowing AFRIMA to follow that path would be a serious loss.

There was also room for shared enjoyment ahead of the grand finale. The AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall reminded everyone why music matters in the first place. Fans and artistes gathered without barriers as performers from across Africa took turns on stage. Hosted by Do2un, it was loud, communal and unmistakably African.

An eclectic crowd was treated to performances by 9ice, Terry Apala, Mr P, Skales, King Lex, Maxee, Shoday, Natureboii, Martinsfeelz, Syemca, Obesere, Femi Kuti, Yemi Alade, Wale Thompson and Adewale Ayuba under a friendly Lagos sky. The lineup also featured Sabrina from Cameroon, Hiro from Côte d’Ivoire and France, and Didi B from Côte d’Ivoire.

On the decks were Nigerian DJs YK Mule, Hatman DJ Nickii, DJ Bubu, DJ Primeau and DJ Coolest, joined by Ghana-Belgium-based DJ Brookebailey. Emerging talents Ella Centric, El Nayan, Dellfire, Black Astro, Blinkz Baba and Mayowa Afolabi, products of the AFRIMA Diamond Showcase project, also took to the stage, underlining the platform’s commitment to nurturing new talent.

The awards night itself, hosted by Falz, Kenya’s Claudia Naisabwa and French-Senegalese Liliane Maroune, reflected both excellence and balance. Rema led the night with three major honours: Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul. Other Nigerian winners included Burna Boy for Album of the Year, Yemi Alade for Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary and rapper Phyno, named Best African Artiste in African Hip Hop. Emerging talents were also recognised, with Qing Madi winning Most Promising Artiste of the Year and Chella named African Fans’ Favourite.

Beyond Nigeria, the ceremony celebrated talent from across the continent. Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum won Song Writer of the Year, while Algeria’s DJ Moh Green claimed DJ of the Year. Ghana’s Wendy Shay won Best Female Artiste in West Africa, South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize emerged Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa, and Tanzania’s Juma Jux was named Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa. Côte d’Ivoire recorded multiple wins, with Milo and Morijah taking the male and female African Inspirational categories, Didi B emerging Best African Lyricist or Rapper, and Team Paiya winning Best African Duo, Group or Band. Ethiopia featured prominently, with Haddinqo named Best African Jazz, Weeha winning Best African Dance or Choreography, and Veronica Adane taking Best African Traditional. Guinea celebrated Manamba Kanté as Best African Pop and Takana Zion as Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall.

African music has travelled the world long before revisionist labels tried to compress it into Afrobeats or Amapiano. Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita, Zaiko Langa Langa, ET Mensah, Cesária Évora, Papa Wemba, Mbilia Bel and Angélique Kidjo have long stood as global images of the continent. Yet there have been few pan-African awards platforms truly owned by Africa and backed by its institutions.

With the African Union as partners, AFRIMA was conceived to recognise excellence across the continent while encouraging cooperation between artistes, policymakers and investors. After years of planning and stakeholder engagement, the first edition was held in Lagos in 2014. It has been held a total of seven times in Nigeria and once each in Ghana and Senegal. Build-up events have been held in The Gambia, South Africa, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Zimbabwe, London, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, Comoros and about nine other African countries.

AFRIMA’s strength lies in its continental spirit, even when hosted by a single country.

The Lagos State Government once again provided financial and institutional support that made hosting an event of this scale possible. Corporate partners such as FirstBank, The Address Homes, Guinness, Utilita, Gobet247, LIRS and others also deserve recognition for standing behind the project and helping turn ideas into action. So do the British High Commission and the Embassy of Sweden as cultural exchange partners.

But appreciation must not end the conversation. AFRIMA has reached a point where goodwill alone is no longer enough. Africa’s cultural history is littered with award ceremonies that started well and faded due to weak funding, limited government backing, inconsistent corporate support and questionable organisational practices. Before AFRIMA, there were the KORA Awards, Channel O Africa Music Video Awards and the MTV Africa Music Awards among others.

Allowing AFRIMA to follow that path would be a serious loss.

Stronger and more deliberate support is needed from governments across the continent, not just from host cities. Corporate Africa must also do more. Many brands benefit from the global reach and cultural influence of African music. Supporting AFRIMA should be seen as a long-term investment in Africa’s creative economy, not a one-off sponsorship.

The social and economic impact of hosting an event like AFRIMA is far-reaching. It challenges the notion that Africa is underdeveloped or unsafe. Thousands of people gathered, both indoors and in open spaces, without fear of molestation or discrimination. If proof is needed, one only has to look at the crowd at Ikeja City Mall, where a large number of fun-seekers were drawn by a well-coordinated media campaign and the promise of a memorable evening.

Beyond the spectacle, AFRIMA delivers a tangible economic boost to the host city. Hotels, restaurants, transport services and local vendors all benefit from the influx of artistes, delegates, media professionals and fans. Lagos saw its tourism and hospitality sectors energised, with increased bookings, patronage and international visibility. Events of this scale create jobs, generate revenue and reinforce the city’s reputation as a safe and vibrant destination for business and leisure alike.

African music remains one of the continent’s strongest unifying forces. It speaks where politics often divides. AFRIMA represents that shared voice. If Africa truly values its culture, then AFRIMA must be sustained, protected and allowed to grow.

As the biggest pan-African music awards still standing, AFRIMA offers a level of continental integration that foreign platforms such as the Grammy, BET, MOBO and MTV Europe Music Awards make no claim to provide for Africa. That alone is reason enough to ensure it does not become another good idea that failed to survive its moment.

*Iyanda is a veteran entertainment and culture journalist, Publisher of QEDNG and Convener of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.

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The title of this piece was influenced by the book written in 1972 by Walter Rodney titled ‘’How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”. In the book, which became a Bible of sorts for those who are interested in studying African development and post-colonial theory, he detailed how Africa was deliberately exploited and underdeveloped by European colonial masters. Rodney argued that a combination of power politics and economic exploitation of Africa by Europeans led to the poor state of Africa’s political and economic development.

According to Rodney, European exploitation through the Transatlantic Slave Trade and colonialism intentionally hindered Africa’s development while fuelling Europe’s own economic rise. Rodney also believed that Africa was not ‘’primitive’’, but was integrated into a global system where its resources and labour were extracted for European benefit, leading to dependency and the suppression of indigenous Africa progress. This, he noted, caused a decline in Africa’s population, a narrowing of its economic activities, and the destruction of its internal trade and development pathways.

While I do not have any doubt that European countries, through colonialism, stunted the growth and development of African countries, my worry stems from the fact that most African nations gained independence from their colonial masters in the 1960s; that is, 65 years ago. In fact, the last African country, Namibia, that gained independence from its colonial master, South Africa, did so in 1990.

The pertinent question, then is, what has African leaders done in the last 65 years to reverse the ugly narrative and bring Africa back on the track of growth and development? While Europe extracted Africa’s resources and labour to build its own wealth – a process that started with the slave trade and continue through colonialism – has African leaders not continued on the ruinous path by deliberately stealing their countries’ wealth to hide in the same Europe and America?

While Rodney argued that the Transatlantic Slave Trade crippled Africa by removing millions of people from the continent, are there not thousands of Africans who are desperately trying to move to Europe on a daily basis till date, even when all is being done by host countries to deter them? If colonial rule imposed economic structures designed to benefit Europe, forcing Africans to grow cash crops for export instead of food for themselves and suppressing indigenous technological and economic advancement, what have we, as a continent done in the last 65 years to reverse the trend?

Ironically, most African countries are being held down by their leaders, who are more like parasites on their own people, stunting the development of their countries. Just last week, Paul Biya of Cameroon, at 92 years of age, and after 42 years in power, holding the record as the world’s oldest sitting President, was announced as the winner of another sham presidential election, bagging another eight-year mandate. What that means is that Biya would remain in power until he is nearly 100 years old, making the Presidency look less a democratic office but a personal estate. His continued reign in power is not only a grim testament to the tragedy of Cameroon but also a mirror reflecting the broader African tragedy of sit-tight rulers who have turned public office into a retirement home and the democratic process into a mockery.

Since 1982, he has presided over a country where political dissent is ruthlessly silenced, press freedom muzzled, and any hint of democratic renewal strangled at birth. Cameroon’s political scene has not changed in decades because it has been systemically denied the oxygen of change. It is not lost on anyone, not even Biya’s dwindling number of supporters, that this presidential run for office is not about service but about power: power for its own sake. It is power, not as a means to transform society, but as a means to prolong one’s personal relevance in a country crying out for leadership, vision, and generational renewal. As expected, there have been pockets of protests since the announcement was made and several citizens of Cameroon have paid the ultimate price as a result.

Indeed, Biya is not alone in this African tragedy. He belongs to the inglorious club of sit-tight rulers who believe that they alone are destined to govern till death or nature intervenes. From Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema to Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, and until recently, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Africa has been plagued by a leadership class that equates longevity in office with accomplishment. Yet, history shows otherwise. Prolonged tenure in Africa’s presidential palaces rarely delivers progress. It breeds complacency, corruption, nepotism, and violent suppression of opposition.

Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea has ruled his country since 1993.  Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti since 1999, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo since 2005, and Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast since 2010. Most of these leaders tinkered with the constitution of their countries on term limits to remain in power. This sets a bad precedent and provokes divisions.

It is important to recognize that not all of Africa suffers from “bad leaders”. Countries like Botswana and Mauritius have been successful in promoting good governance and fighting corruption.

Cameroon today is a vivid case study. Under Biya, the country has seen its Anglophone regions descend into violent conflict, its economy stagnated under decades of mismanagement, and its democratic institutions reduced to ceremonial rubber stamps. What began as a promising post-independence Republic has been transformed into a personalized monarchy in all but name. The justification for these endless reigns is often wrapped in the language of “stability” — as though without these aging patriarchs, their nations would crumble. But stability without accountability is not governance; it is stagnation. Cameroon’s real challenge today is not instability caused by political change, but instability caused by the suffocation of change.

In 2008, Biya’s party, Rassemblement Democratique du Peuple Cameroonais, engineered a constitutional amendment that abolished a two-term presidential limit. Gabon did a similar thing in 2003 to make Omar Bongo President for life. He died of cardiac arrest after ruling from 1967 to 2009. His son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, succeeded him and had sought a third term in office in the Presidential election held on August 26, 2023. The election was greatly flawed. The military overthrew him shortly after his declaration as winner on August 30, 2023. This marked the end of the dynasty of the Bongo family that lasted for 56 years. With this trend, Africa is stuck in a cycle of redundancy.

Despite having the youngest population globally, the continent has not encouraged its youth to assume leadership roles. In contrast, Jacinda Ardern became the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand at 37. In January, 2023, she resigned from office, saying she no longer had “enough in the tank” to do the work. Emmanuel Macron of France became President at 39.

Again, last week, Alassane Ouattara was declared the winner of the presidential election in Ivory Coast by a landslide. According to provisional results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (CIE), the 83-year-old won a fourth term as Head of the West African country with 89.77% or 3.75 million votes.

Ouattara ran against four lesser-known candidates after the opposition heavyweights Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam were barred from contesting. But those who appeared on the ballot – the former First Lady, Simone Gbagbo, and three former Ministers – Jean-Louis Billon, Ahoua Don Mello, and Henriette Lagou Adjoua – were unable to make headway. The result trumps Ouattara’s winning margins in his previous three victories, including his 2015 win when he secured 83% of the vote. Lagou Adjoua, who also contested in 2015, improved her previous record of 0.89% by getting 1.15%.

Barring any surprise from the Constitutional Council, the octogenarian, who has been in office since 2011, will again lead the world’s largest cocoa producer until 2030. Although Ouattara has supervised high economic growth rates and vast infrastructural development, he has been accused of crony capitalism and a clampdown on opposition to his rule.

The situation in Tanzania is becoming tense on a daily basis. Last week, when it held a presidential election which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two biggest challengers excluded from the race, angry citizens and rights groups took to the streets in protest. Despite the internet blackout, protesters continued to organise on the Zello app, discussing the possible marches on government buildings. Roads across the country were blocked, while several shops and malls were looted. Another beautiful country in turmoil, no thanks to Africa’s poor leadership culture.

There are several African countries where the military have sacked constitutionally elected governments. The Khaki boys are now in charge in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan, Chad, and Gabon. Even here in Nigeria, there have been rumours of a coup, with several military personnel under investigation. Military intervention in governance has never been for the benefit of those nations. It has always been an exercise where the boys line their pockets, just like their civilian counterparts.

Why is a continent so blessed with both human and natural resources rife with citizens who wallow in abject poverty? Some have alluded to what they termed: “resource curse” – which is the paradox of countries with abundant natural resources having less economic growth. Africa remains the continent with the least literacy rate in the world. It is the continent with the highest number of out-of-school children, with the highest child maternal mortality rate, and the place where most women still die during childbirth due to factors such as political instability, weak governance structure, poverty, corruption, and a lack of equitable distribution of wealth.

Again, with weak institutions and lack of consequences for their actions and inactions, some leaders embezzle public funds and serve their own interests with little fear of being held accountable. Also, foreign powers and multinational corporations often exert neocolonial influence by exploiting African natural resources through partnerships with corrupt leaders. This entrenches the corrupt status quo by undermining democratic processes and national development goals.

It is important to recognize that not all of Africa suffers from “bad leaders”. Countries like Botswana and Mauritius have been successful in promoting good governance and fighting corruption. This shows that leadership quality varies greatly across the continent and that poor governance is not a universal constant. However, we cannot continue to blame others for our mistakes. Perhaps, we need to tinker with our leadership recruitment processes. We need young and vibrant leaders who know their right from left and have the burning desire for servant leadership.

Rodney’s book may be relevant in the 20th century, but it is time for us to start examining his theories in relation to how African leaders are under-developing their own continent. It is by so doing that we will begin the process of identifying what went wrong with us and our existing systems and start putting in place measures to rectify those flaws. Perhaps, we need a sequel to Rodney’s book: ‘How African Leaders Architect Africa’s Misfortune’.

See you next week.

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PROTOCOLS

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am immensely honoured to be here to attend this important Nigeria Session on China’s newest development plan and the future of China-Africa cooperation, under the theme – “Jointly Drawing the Blueprint, Sharing the Development.”

I thank the China Media Group and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos for extending an invitation to me to speak at this forum. The theme of this forum couldn’t be more apt, given the contemporary realities of our world and, of course, the blossoming friendship between Nigeria and China.

The forum’s theme is one that lends itself to extensive discourse. But owing to time constraints, I will immediately proceed with my address.

In 1985, the American magazine Newsweek reported that the number of high-rise buildings in Shanghai, China’s biggest commercial city, could be counted on the finger tips.

By 2005, 20 years later, when I had the first opportunity to visit Beijing and Shanghai as part of a delegation of China-Africa Editors’ touring that Asian country, skyscrapers had become a common feature of the entire landscape of China. China was like a huge construction yard. There was visible economic boom.

Today, despite its huge population, China’s development has grown exponentially.

Although China now faces significant economic headwinds, with growth moderating in the face of structural constraints, including declining working age population, diminishing returns on investment, and slowing productivity growth, it remains, nonetheless, one of the largest global economies.

According to a report by the World Bank Group, the country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth – a common measure of economic activity and size – slowed from double-digit annual increases during the 2000s to 5.3% in this year’s second quarter. China continues to be a major global trading partner, regardless, ranking as the world’s second-largest economy, only behind the United States.

China’s monumental development was not a chance occurrence. It came by deliberate, continuous and consistent planning. China has continued to plan, and doing so comprehensively. Just last week, the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China took place in Beijing. Held from October 20-23, 2025, at that session, China unfolded its 15th five-year development plan.

As we gather today to discuss the future of Africa-China cooperation in the context of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, it is important to first enumerate some of the highlights of this new five-year plan (2026-2030), the significance of the bilateral relationship between China and Africa (with particular reference to Nigeria), and its potential for mutual benefit.

China’s 15th five-year plan highlights a few thematic priority areas, which include economic transformation, digital economy, global economic governance, and the Belt and Road Initiative that has been a cornerstone of China–Africa cooperation. This present plan emphasizes high quality development, focusing on technological innovation, green development and economic restructuring.

On digital economy, the plan prioritises digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and data-driven industries. With regard to global economic governance, China aims to play a more active role globally, promoting free trade and investment.

The five-year plan, no doubt, offers unique opportunities for Africa. This is in terms of infrastructural development, industrialization, partnership in boosting agriculture and technological innovation. China’s expertise in infrastructure development can help bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap, promoting economic growth and development, and creating opportunities for job creation and economic diversification.

At present, the partnership between China and Africa has recorded remarkable achievements in the past five years.

And these gains in various fields are evident. For instance, at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit held last September, President Xi Jinping announced zero tariff treatment on products with 100% tariff lines for all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, which include 33 African countries.

Indeed, contrasts are bound to be drawn in contemporary global affairs, particularly in relation to President Donald Trump’s imprudent tariff regime and its negative disruption of global trade.

In June this year also, China extended the zero-tariff treatment to cover 100% of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China.

From January to July 2025, China’s imports from Africa’s least developed countries reached 39.66 billion USD, with a year-on-year increase of 10.2%.

This strikes a resonant chord in Nigeria, where the Lekki Deep Seaport stands glowingly to China’s credit. The Blue (Rail) Line built by a Chinese company provides green and convenient public mass transportation to Lagos residents. Across Africa, China’s infrastructural imprints are just as phenomenal.

Major projects built by Chinese enterprises, such as Morocco’s Noor III and II Concentrated Solar Power Project and South Africa’s De Aar Wind Power Project, have illuminated millions of homes across Africa, helping in the path to sustainable growth and development.

China’s new energy vehicles are also rapidly entering the African market, offering new options to improve urban air quality.

These are commendable. But Africa needs more if China, like a true friend of Africa that it is, genuinely wants to leapfrog the continent’s development.

However, there are identifiable obstacles that pose serious challenges to China-Africa cooperation. These deserve to be addressed and should not be glossed over. I will now dwell on these challenges.

Firstly, the huge debt Africa owes China is a major problem. As of 2020, Chinese lenders accounted for approximately 12% of Africa’s external debt, which has grown more than fivefold since 2000, reaching $696 billion. Between 2000 and 2023, Chinese financial institutions extended 1,306 loans, totalling $182.28 billion, to 49 African countries and seven regional organizations. Africa needs to ensure that the debt levels remain sustainable, while China also needs to consider debt restructuring or forgiveness.

Secondly, Chinese industries in Africa must prioritize environmental and social impact assessments. China must rein in her companies to ensure they operate in ways that enhance environmental safety. Indeed, global environmental problems cannot be solved without China’s engagement.

Given its size, China is central to many regional and global development issues. Admittedly, China is not the main source of historical cumulative emissions. Yet, according to the World Bank, China today accounts for nearly a third of annual global carbon dioxide and 30% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – with per capita emissions now surpassing those of the European Union, and on par with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average.

Thirdly and closely related to this is the issue of local content. African countries must prioritize local content development, ensuring that projects benefit local communities. The trend, in most cases, is that Chinese companies operating in Africa come with their technology and their workforce in tow. China, as Africa’s true friend, should support and facilitate technology transfer and capacity building.

Now, what does the future hold for China-Africa cooperation? What are the new prospects for collaboration in the next five years?

To strengthen collaboration, there must be enhanced dialogue between China and Africa, which will help address challenges and identify new opportunities.

Africa and China also need to diversify cooperation areas to sectors including culture, education and tourism.

One other important area of support from China is in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance intra-African trade and investment. Importantly, Africa and China can collaborate on global value chains, promoting trade and investment.

Both continents should also prioritize green and sustainable development, addressing climate change and environmental degradation.

In conclusion, the 15th Five-Year Plan presents opportunities for Africa-China cooperation in infrastructure development, industrialization, agricultural cooperation, and technological innovation. China has demonstrated capacity in these areas.

We actually don’t have to think long and hard to establish where this leap is apparent. Deepseek, Chinese AI models, have broken the monopoly of Western tech giants through open-source modes, initiating an “AI democratization” process.

The supply of China’s advanced and practical technology also helps in bridging the digital and artificial intelligence gaps, thus further empowering African industries and people, providing them transformative power to aid development.

China parades green transition solutions, which can support a long-term future for Africa’s sustainable development. While it possesses the world’s richest green resources such as solar and wind power, Africa also remains one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. China should actively share green transition solutions with Africa in order to truly help the continent.

Therefore, by addressing the challenges and prioritizing mutual benefits, China and Africa can strengthen their partnership in ways that promotes technology transfer, sustainable development and shared prosperity.

With the sufficient will, these challenges are surmountable. The prospects offer a huge cause for optimism. And the future of China-Africa relations can only blossom further.

It may sound clichéd, but I’d like to round off this remark with that time-honoured Chinese saying, which speaks to the value of resilience as it does the China-Africa relationship: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

And may I say that President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria is prepared and ready to take that important next step in advancing the Nigeria-China partnership based on mutual trust and shared prosperity.

*Being a keynote address presented at a forum on China-Afica cooperation in the context of China’s new 5-year development plan on Friday October 31 at Landmark Centre in Lagos.

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This isn’t a dismissal of the quality of education offered by elite institutions; rather, it’s a call to re-evaluate what truly constitutes “valuable” education in the context of national development. The world over, nations are realizing that while global exposure is beneficial, the real transformative power lies in cultivating an educational system deeply rooted in local realities, challenges, and aspirations.

What Africa truly needs isn’t a proliferation of prestigious diplomas, but a wave of curriculum reformers diaspora educators fiercely committed to reshaping African classrooms in ways that speak directly to local realities.

The Prestige Obsession vs. the Real Need

Obsession with elite universities runs deep. Famously, speaking about elite education in Britain, Kemi Badenoch’s experience reflects how Nigerian parents hold immense value in prestige not just degrees, but the doors they seem guaranteed to open. Yet global excellence alone does not address bootstrapping Africa’s educational crises, outdated curricula, rote learning, or the rampant mismatch between academic training and job-market demands.

Curriculum Reform: A Critical Necessity

African students are often taught outdated syllabi. Literature courses favour colonial-era texts, engineering programmes prepare students for industries not domestically present, and medical training often ignores the unique health challenges of African populations.

What’s required instead is contextual education. Curricula must pivot toward indigenous knowledge, practical entrepreneurship, renewable energy, agriculture technology, climate adaptation, and public health tailored to African ecosystems not global ones.

The Role of Diaspora Curriculum Reformers

This is where the “diaspora curriculum reformers” come in. These are individuals who may have gained invaluable knowledge and exposure abroad, perhaps even at an Ivy League institution, but who choose to return home with a specific mission: to transform education from within.

Their strength lies in their unique dual perspective: understanding global best practices alongside an intimate knowledge of local needs and limitations. They are not merely importing foreign models but adapting, innovating, and building truly bespoke educational frameworks.

These reformers can:

Bridge the Gap: Translate global knowledge into local applicability, ensuring that advanced concepts are taught with relevant examples and practical implications for their home country.

Advocate for Change: Use their credibility and expertise to drive policy changes, secure funding, and mobilize support for educational reforms that challenge entrenched, outdated systems.

Mentor and Inspire: Serve as role models for the next generation, demonstrating that fulfilling careers and impactful contributions can be made by working within their own nations, shaping its future.

Bridging Global Rigour and Local Realities

Diaspora academics and professionals can serve as the perfect bridge understanding the rigour of global institutions while remaining deeply connected to African systemic needs.

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How diaspora can help:

Curriculum co-design and academic exchange: Programmes like the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship demonstrate the impact of diaspora academics in revitalizing curricula, overseeing graduate research, and strengthening institutions. Since its inception around 2013, it has funded over 650 fellows at 170+ universities in nine African countries.

Mentoring and graduate development: The Carnegie-Pan-African Doctoral Academy at the University of Ghana leverages diaspora academics to mentor graduate students and enhance research supervision.

Diaspora-led edtech, literacy, and infrastructure: Initiatives like the African Storybook project provide tens of thousands of open-licensed picture books across 236 African languages expanding early literacy with contextual, inclusive stories.

Remittances for education and infrastructure: Remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa reached a staggering $45 billion in 2021, much of which supports education, building schools, providing scholarships, and improving facilities. Broader data shows remittances to Africa topping $100 billion in 2023, reflecting the diaspora’s economic as well as intellectual investment potential.

STEM capacity building: Diaspora-led contributions bolster STEM education via institutions like the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) which employs diaspora academics to mentor postgraduate students across Africa.

Case Study: The African Leadership University

Founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur Fred Swaniker, ALU in Mauritius rejects traditional Western pedagogy. Instead, learning happens through collaborative, problem-solving missions, internships tied to real-world African challenges, and a focus on leadership over rote recall.

Rather than graduates chasing visas or Ivy resumes, ALU seeks continent-builders. Its goal? Produce three million problem-solvers equipped for African development over the next 50 years.

Africa’s Brain Drain vs. Brain Circulation

The exodus of skilled Africans nicknamed “Japa” continues. Nigeria alone has lost over $2 billion since 2010 training doctors who now serve abroad. More than half its medical workforce practices overseas, while doctor-patient ratios lag far behind WHO standards.

But the narrative is shifting. Diaspora engagement embodies brain circulation does not drain. Many African academics in North America (estimated tens of thousands) and beyond are eager to contribute back via research, curriculum design, and mentorship.

Challenges: When Diaspora Doesn’t Fit

Challenges abound. Some diaspora academics face distrust former colleagues may question commitment or label them “traitors.” Ad-hoc engagements lack structure and longevity.

Curricular reform needs policy frameworks, not goodwill alone. Few African governments have formal academic diaspora policies, Nigeria had one, later discontinued; Ghana and Nigeria both have Diaspora Commissions, but no specific academic diplomacy strategies Sustainable efforts require institutional alignment and consistent funding.

A Broader Portfolio of Diaspora Contributions

Education infrastructure and literacy: Diaspora professionals have funded libraries, labs, and digital tools in underserved communities like Kitengesa in Uganda, enhancing learning readiness and educational outcomes.

STEM mentorship and innovation ecosystems: Diaspora-run tech and agritech mentorship platforms accelerate startup growth, while doctors returning serve critical training and healthcare gaps.

Diaspora identity, motivation, and impact: Emotional ties, national pride, and frustration with homeland systems drive diaspora reformers. One entrepreneur recounted opening a free dialysis center for those unable to afford care at home.

Call to Action

Africa must pivot from celebrating day-after graduation photos to empowering curriculum reformers who can architect education’s future. Here’s how:

Establish diaspora academic councils: Governments and universities should formalize diaspora advisory units to co-design curricula, fund fellowships, and structure engagement.

Institutionalize exchange programmes: Scale models like the Carnegie Fellowships, with long-term investment from African governments and philanthropists not just donor programmes.

Promote local innovation hubs: Support institutions like ALU that actively reshape pedagogy for social impact.

Ensure humility and listening: Diaspora reformers must adapt global knowledge to African contexts and respect local educators and needs.

Celebrate reformers, not just diplomas: Elevate stories of successful local impact over prestige trophies.

The narrative must shift: the future of African education is not sealed by more Ivy League resumes but by the reformer’s diaspora professionals, academics, and innovators who reimagine learning to meet Africa’s real needs. Africa doesn’t need more Ivy League selfies. It needs classrooms that reflect its languages, challenges, economies, and aspirations and diaspora leaders brave enough to rewrite the script.

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This include for the first time, procurement of African-made treatment for Mozambique.

The development marks a milestone for a region that bears nearly 65 per cent of the global HIV burden and has long depended on imports of lifesaving anti-retroviral medicines and testing kits.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, weakens the body’s immune system, reducing its ability to fight infections and certain cancers.

Without timely intervention, it can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS, the most advanced stage of infection.

World Health Organisation, WHO, in a statement on Friday, said that a Kenya-based pharmaceutical company, Universal Corporation Ltd, became the first African manufacturer to receive WHO prequalification to produce HIV medicine.

The company received prequalification to produce tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine and dolutegravir (TLD); a first-line anti-retroviral therapy for HIV.

Now, in a major step forward, the Global Fund; a worldwide partnership financing HIV, tuberculosis and malaria responses is procuring this locally produced HIV treatment for Mozambique, making it the first time African-manufactured TLD has been deployed through this channel.

“The procurement of the African-manufactured first-line HIV treatment by the Global Fund for Mozambique is a great milestone towards strengthening supply chain systems in Africa,” Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV Programmes, said.

“This will contribute to better health outcomes for people living with HIV who need uninterrupted medicine supplies.”

WHO says the achievement is part of a broader push to bolster local production capacity and improve access to essential health technologies across Africa.

The UN agency has been partnering with countries, manufacturers and global health organisations including the Global Fund and Unitaid to expand quality-assured African manufacturing.

“Local production of quality-assured health products is an urgent priority,” said Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification.

“With every African manufacturer that meets WHO prequalification standards, we move closer to a more self-reliant, resilient and equitable health system.”

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In spite of the milestone, WHO cautioned that production alone was not enough.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the agency is calling for advanced market commitments, fair procurement policies and ongoing technical support.

WHO also pointed to diagnostics as a critical gap. With shifting donor funding, many countries are under pressure to maintain HIV testing programmes, which are the frontline of prevention and treatment.

In a related effort, Codix Bio, a Nigerian diagnostics company, recently received a sub-licence to manufacture rapid diagnostic tests for HIV.

Locally produced HIV rapid tests will help increase affordability, and address supply chain vulnerabilities and delays.

“Having locally produced HIV rapid tests will help increase affordability, and more broadly address supply chain vulnerabilities and delays in access to diagnostics,” said Doherty.

As part of its guidance, the UN health agency is also encouraging countries to adopt low-cost, WHO-prequalified rapid HIV tests, especially as the first test in national algorithms, which can significantly cut costs while maintaining service delivery.

While the latest update marks tangible progress, more action is needed.

“Locally manufactured TLD is a major step towards that goal,” WHO said, “but more action is needed.”

Source: NAN

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