President Bola Tinubu says the rest of the world needs to see Africa as a continent that promotes solutions and drives growth.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday during a meeting with a delegation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, led by Makhtar Diop, its managing director.
Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement that Tinubu urged global financiers to consider more strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, research, and development on the continent.
“The IFC and the World Bank need to see Africa differently,” Ngelale quoted Tinubu as saying.
“I am glad an African is at the helm of affairs at IFC, and as an African, understands that the potential for growth, peace, stability, and prosperity is here.
“The world has to see us as a continent that can help the rest of the world and not perceive us as backwards, unstable, and with leadership problems.
“The expectations of the rest of the world on Africa have to change. By looking at Africa as a potential opportunity and not a danger to the rest of the free world, we can stimulate growth and propel inclusiveness.”
Tinubu said Africa is ready to work with the rest of the world to change perceptions about the continent, stressing that it is open for business.
“I am an African and proud to be, and will maintain the strong position to collaborate with the rest of the world to see Africa as a destination for growth and prosperity,” the president said.
Speaking also, Diop said the IFC had engaged in productive discussions with Nigerian partners to enhance agriculture, increase food production through irrigation farming, upgrade transport networks, and bolster regional integration during the work trip.
“We are supporting small and medium enterprises in the agricultural sector, and they are doing very interesting things. We need to bring in more big players into food production in the country,” the IFC chief said.
“We are here to support you. The world has been facing a lot of shocks and difficult situations which have affected many African economies.”
Diop highlighted investments in irrigation, road infrastructure, and logistics around airports under a public private partnership as areas of focus for the IFC in Nigeria.
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