Commonwealth Urges Stronger Trade, Investment Partnerships Across Member States

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has called for deeper trade, investment and economic cooperation among Commonwealth nations, urging governments and businesses to harness the bloc’s unique commercial advantages to drive growth, create jobs and improve prosperity. Speaking at Invest Lagos 3.0, organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment […]

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has called for deeper trade, investment and economic cooperation among Commonwealth nations, urging governments and businesses to harness the bloc’s unique commercial advantages to drive growth, create jobs and improve prosperity.

Speaking at Invest Lagos 3.0, organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Botchwey said the Commonwealth is well-positioned to help member countries navigate an increasingly complex global economic landscape.

“The global economy is not just experiencing a passing period of turbulence. It is going through a structural shift,” she said.

“At a time when parts of the world are turning inward, the Commonwealth must turn towards one another with greater purpose.”

The Secretary-General highlighted the Commonwealth’s shared language, legal systems, institutions and business practices as key strengths that continue to reduce barriers to trade and investment among its 56 member countries.

“These connections are commercial assets. They reduce friction. They build trust. They lower risk. They make it easier for businesses to trade, invest and grow across borders,” she said.

According to Botchwey, trade among Commonwealth countries is conducted at an average cost about 21 per cent lower than trade between comparable non-Commonwealth partners.

“That is the Commonwealth Advantage: trade between Commonwealth countries being, on average, around 21 per cent cheaper,” she noted.

“But advantage, by itself, is not enough. An advantage unused is only a statistic.

“Our task is to turn that advantage into jobs, investment, supply chains, infrastructure, innovation and growth that people can feel in their daily lives.”

She also stressed the need for greater investment in infrastructure, digital connectivity, entrepreneurship and skills development, particularly for young people and small businesses.

“We need execution. We need scale. We need confidence. We need partnerships that deliver,” she said.

Looking ahead, Botchwey said the Commonwealth must create the conditions necessary for long-term investment and stronger economic integration among member states.

“The Commonwealth has the network. Now we must bring them together,” she added.

The Secretary-General noted that these priorities would continue to shape discussions at the Commonwealth Business Forum 2026, which will be hosted by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Commonwealth Secretariat from November 2 to 4, 2026, alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The forum is expected to bring together Heads of Government, ministers, investors and business leaders from across the Commonwealth and beyond to strengthen trade, investment and commercial partnerships.