Abuja, Nigeria – June 16, 2025 — Speaking at the Fourth Annual Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF) in Kigali, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged African leaders and institutions to embrace collective action and responsibly deploy the continent’s sovereign wealth for sustainable development.
Tinubu emphasised that Africa’s sovereign wealth funds, strategic investment vehicles, pensions, and insurance assets—worth trillions of dollars—hold immense potential for transformative investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and climate resilience . He called for “sound financial discipline” in mobilising these assets to ensure long‑term benefits for African citizens.
He also stressed the importance of strategic partnerships, including with the African Development Bank, unity among sovereign fund managers, and leveraging intra-African capital to reduce reliance on external aid . Tinubu noted that this approach mirrors successful international models, such as the post‑World War II European Marshall Plan, but urged that Africa design its own version—one tailored to local needs and inclusive of democratic accountability .
The President reminded participants that although Africa is richly endowed, the real challenge lies in translating its wealth into productive investment with governance safeguards and inter‑country coordination: “Hundreds of billions have been spent through international institutions; we must reach consensus to ensure these spendings meet our needs, on our terms” .
The ASIF gathering brings together sovereign wealth fund leaders across Africa, African Development Bank officials, and global strategic investors. Previous editions underlined the need for private‐sector mobilization and intra‑African trade as engines for sustainable growth .
By urging the concerted use of sovereign assets and reinforcing financial responsibility, Tinubu painted a vision for an Africa that invests in itself. He maintained that the continent, united in vision and financial discipline, can leapfrog development hurdles and secure prosperity beyond reliance on external financing.
