Africa’s future lies in collaboration

• Makinde advocates greater role for sub-nationals in Africa’s trade, investment growth

From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

Makinde with Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others at the event

Makinde (middle) addressing the Forum

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emphasised the need for stronger involvement of subnational governments in driving trade and investment across Africa. He advocated: “While discussions on economic integration typically occur at the national level, actual implementation must involve subnational entities.”

The governor spoke at the Africa Business Forum 2025, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Turning to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), he urged the organisation to engage more actively with regional governments to ensure Africa’s economic strategies were effectively executed.

During a Show-and-Tell session, Makinde showcased Oyo State’s efforts in creating a favourable investment climate, particularly through agribusiness: “Oyo State has successfully leveraged agriculture to boost economic growth, reduce import dependence and generate foreign exchange.”

He told newsmen after his session: “Trade, investment and economic integration in Africa may be discussed at the national level, but real implementation happens at the subnational level.

“My message here is that sub-nationals are the real enablers of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and I am sharing Oyo State’s success stories to illustrate this.”

He cited the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub as a prime example of the state’s achievements, noting its role in attracting interest from both local and international investors: “The hub has drawn visitors, including heads of state, with the President of Sierra Leone set to visit in the coming weeks.

Makinde also highlighted cross-border collaborations, particularly with the Republic of Benin, which shares a boundary with Oyo State’s Saki and Iwajowa local governments: Farm estates in these areas, backed by joint ownership, are being developed to foster regional agricultural partnerships.

“Our focus is not just import substitution within Nigeria but also exporting to earn foreign exchange. We believe Africa’s future lies in stronger regional collaboration, creating seamless links and providing the right investment environment,” he added.