Nigeria has urged the founding member states of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, NEPAD, to strengthen their cooperation in order to accelerate Africa's economic integration, development, and peace. This call was made by Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the NEPAD Founding Member States' Summit in Alamein, Egypt. The summit marked the 25th anniversary of NEPAD and was hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
President Tinubu described the summit as an opportunity to reflect on the past, assess progress, and forge a stronger commitment to Africa's future development. He commended Egypt for its hospitality and Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, for her leadership and achievements under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. The President emphasized that NEPAD's founding principle, "Africa's development cannot be outsourced," remains relevant amid current global challenges.
President Tinubu identified five strategic priorities for the founding states, including accelerating continental economic integration through the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA. He also emphasized the need to close the infrastructure gap, strengthen development financing, invest in education, science, technology, and vocational training, and promote peace, security, and good governance. These priorities aim to drive Africa's development and address the continent's current challenges.
On peace and security, President Tinubu called on African leaders to prevail on countries facing heightened tensions to de-escalate and return to diplomacy and peaceful resolution of differences. He urged stronger intelligence-sharing, border management, and investment in socio-economic development. The President also called for the fast-tracking of the operationalization of the African Standby Force to enhance the continent's security and stability.
Nigeria welcomed the Summit Declaration and reaffirmed its readiness to work with fellow founding states to establish structured cooperation in various areas, including trade, infrastructure, energy, food security, technology, development finance, human capital, peace, and security. This cooperation aims to support AUDA-NEPAD and the African Union in their efforts to drive Africa's development and integration.
The summit provided a platform for African leaders to assess progress and forge a stronger commitment to Africa's future development. President Tinubu's participation in the summit demonstrated Nigeria's commitment to NEPAD and Africa's development. The Summit Declaration is expected to guide the future cooperation and collaboration among NEPAD founding states.
The NEPAD Founding Member States' Summit marked a significant milestone in Africa's development journey. As the continent continues to face various challenges, the need for stronger cooperation and collaboration among African countries has become increasingly important. Nigeria's call for stronger cooperation among NEPAD founding states is expected to contribute to the acceleration of Africa's economic integration, development, and peace.
Key points
- Nigeria urges stronger cooperation among NEPAD founding states to accelerate Africa's economic integration and development.
- President Tinubu identifies five strategic priorities for NEPAD founding states, including accelerating continental economic integration and promoting peace, security, and good governance.
- Nigeria welcomes the Summit Declaration and reaffirms its readiness to work with fellow founding states to establish structured cooperation in various areas.
