The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has called for accelerated efforts to strengthen intra-African trade as a key driver of sustainable growth, integration, and prosperity across the continent.
Speaking at the launch of Africa 2063: Creating the Future We Want—a book honouring the late Osaze Osifo, a visionary investment executive and advocate for African development—Mr. Edun stressed that Africa must overcome key barriers to trade to realise its full economic promise.
“Intra-African trade makes up just 10% of our total trade,” the Minister noted. “Improving logistics, transport networks, and cross-border payment systems is essential to unlocking the full potential of our 1.3 billion-strong market.”
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga quoted Edun to have praised Osifo’s enduring legacy, describing him as a brilliant mind whose work championed inclusive growth and private sector-led development. “His ideas live on in our collective push for a self-sufficient, prosperous Africa,” Edun added.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s reform agenda, the Minister cited a recent infrastructure deal that passed an international value-for-money audit—demonstrating growing investor confidence in the country’s economic direction.
As the continent charts its course toward Agenda 2063, Edun’s remarks serve as a clarion call for collaboration, innovation, and investment in the systems that will drive Africa’s transformation.
