Africa Must Pivot from Aid to Investment and Trade, Says WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala at ABU Pre-Convocation Lecture

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on African nations to transition from being "supplicants for aid" to becoming prime destinations for global investment and trade.

Delivering the Pre-Convocation Lecture at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Friday, January 30, 2026, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala addressed a distinguished audience on the theme: 'Challenges and Opportunities for Africa and Nigeria in the Present Global Geopolitical and Geostrategic Context.'

The WTO chief emphasized that the current global shift toward "re-globalization"—driven by the need to de-risk supply chains and reduce overdependence on any single market—presents a unique window for Africa.

"I am convinced that this crisis presents opportunities for the continent," she stated. "But to seize these opportunities, our leaders will need to step up at home and build stronger investment and commercial ties across the region."

Unlocking Renewable Energy and Mineral Wealth

A central focus of the lecture was Africa’s untapped green energy potential. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala revealed that while Africa possesses 60% of the world's solar energy potential, it currently attracts only 2% of global solar investment.

Local Manufacturing: She urged a shift from importing renewable technology to domestic manufacturing to create jobs for the continent's youth.

Critical Minerals: With Africa holding nearly 30% of global mineral reserves, she envisioned regional supply chains where mineral processing is powered by clean, African-generated energy.

The Workforce of the Future

Highlighting Africa's demographic advantage, the Director-General noted that by 2050, the continent is on track to account for 25% of the global working-age population. She characterized this as the "world's talent pool of the future," provided that the right investments in human capital and infrastructure are made today.

Concluding her address, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala warned against missing this "window of opportunity," as has happened in the past. She challenged African leaders to create attractive investment environments—specifically inviting Chinese and global investors to set up local plants—while urging citizens to hold leadership accountable for long-term development goals.

The event, held at the university's main campus, served as a intellectual precursor to ABU’s 45th Convocation Ceremony, where the WTO Director-General was also conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.