Africa possesses power to drive global growth – Tuggar

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has said Africa stands at the cusp of transformation, with the resources, human capital and creativity to drive global growth. He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Policy Innovation Centre’s High-Level Plenary during the 2025 Gender Summit in Abuja. Speaking on the theme, […]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has said Africa stands at the cusp of transformation, with the resources, human capital and creativity to drive global growth. He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Policy Innovation Centre’s High-Level Plenary during the 2025 Gender Summit in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “From Aid to Investment: Leveraging Economic Diplomacy for Africa’s Inclusive Development,”Tuggar said the continent’s combined nominal GDP of $2.8 trillion and projected population of 2.5 billion by 2050 position it as a global growth engine. 

He noted that Nigeria, with a GDP of N372.8 trillion (approximately $243 billion USD), occupies a strategic role in shaping Africa’s economic trajectory.

“Africa possesses the resources, human capital, and creativity to drive global growth.

 “Nigeria is playing a significant leadership role in this shift,” he said.

The minister, however, acknowledged that challenges remain. He cited low intra-African trade, which accounts for only 18 percent compared to 59 percent in Asia and 69 percent in Europe. 

He also highlighted gender disparities in education, trade, and political representation, noting that women make up 70 percent of the informal economy but remain largely excluded from formal trade benefits.

According to UNESCO’s 2024 report, 7.6 million Nigerian girls are out of school, with the Northwest and Northeast regions accounting for nearly half of that number. Tuggar stressed that such gaps must be addressed to unlock Africa’s full potential.

“Growth without inclusivity is fragile – and prosperity without equity is unsustainable,” he said.

He referenced a 2019 report by the Council on Foreign Relations which projected a 23 percent surge in Nigeria’s GDP, equivalent to $229 billion; if women participated in the economy at the same level as men.

Tuggar also spoke on Nigeria’s recalibrated foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4-D Diplomacy agenda, which focuses on Development, Demography, Diaspora, and Democracy. 

He said the framework prioritises inclusion of women and youth in Nigeria’s global engagement.

He further highlighted initiatives such as the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme as key drivers of inclusive growth.

Calling for action, Tuggar urged stakeholders to support the Gender and Inclusion Framework for Economic Diplomacy (GIF-ED) and the Purple Book of Action Plans 2025. He concluded: “Equity is not optional. Inclusion is not charity. They are the foundations of a prosperous, stable, and sustainable Africa.”