Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged African countries to prioritise regional trade and collaboration over dependence on foreign aid. He made this call at the 2025 Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Summit in London, during the closing session titled “The Africa Opportunity: Regional Collaboration and Trade Facilitation.”
Dr. Mbah said Africa must take control of its economic future by deepening intra-African trade and strengthening internal structures.
“With a population of 1.3 billion, a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, and 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, Africa has the capacity to lead. But we must turn our potential into tangible progress through robust intra-African trade,” he said.
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AfCFTA and the promise of shared growth
Governor Mbah spoke on the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key driver of economic growth. He referred to World Bank projections which estimate that AfCFTA could lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty and increase Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035.
Despite this outlook, he expressed concern that many of the trade agreement’s commitments are yet to be met.
“Only 14.4% of Africa’s trade is intra-continental, compared to 69% in Europe and 59% in Asia,” he said.
He identified several roadblocks to intra-African trade, including inadequate infrastructure, fragmented rail systems, high air travel costs, and underused maritime transport.
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Learning from global models
Dr. Mbah called on African leaders to learn from the European Union’s integration process, which took more than three decades. He argued that a similar long-term view is necessary to address legal, infrastructural, and capacity gaps.
“We need a unified legal and regulatory framework, smart infrastructure, and an education system that fuels economic growth. AfCFTA must be more than a feel-good creation,” he said.
He added that sustainable development will only come through consistent investment in systems that promote trade and productivity.
“Africa’s economic renaissance lies in extensive trade – not aid or charity. The time to act is now.”
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Enugu’s investment pitch to global leaders
Earlier at the summit, Dr. Mbah led the State Governors Roundtable where he presented the investment prospects of Enugu State to global leaders and potential investors. He encouraged international stakeholders to explore opportunities in the state, citing its economic reforms and focus on ease of doing business.
The summit gathered policymakers, investors, and business leaders to discuss opportunities for economic cooperation across Commonwealth nations, with a special focus on Africa’s evolving role in global trade.
