Nigeria has urged African nations to review their collective approach to global trade, warning that no country can progress alone in today’s shifting economic climate.
Speaking at the 2nd African Cassava Conference in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, stressed that while Nigeria is expanding its grassroots economy, Africa must also confront global trade realities where joint action is essential.
He noted that African leaders have consistently supported a fair global trading system.
Call for Collective Action
Bagudu emphasised that international trade is one area where no African country can succeed in isolation.
“We want trade, we want participation, and we want a shared conception of development where everyone is supported wherever they live,” he said.
Reforms to Strengthen Local Economies
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms, explaining that they are designed to generate new revenue for all tiers of government and improve local competitiveness.
He added that these reforms are channelled into the Renewed Hope Ward Development Plan — a nationwide initiative mapping economic opportunities across all 8,809 wards.
“Our reforms aim to generate resources that support government and our hardworking populace,” he said. “The Renewed Hope Ward Development Plan is a revolutionary project identifying economic prospects in every ward.”