By Remi Johnson, Abuja
Africa’s economic survival and global relevance largely depend on the emergence of patriotic leaders who will intentionally invest in infrastructure that prioritizes productivity, inclusion, and self-reliance.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, stated this during the 2025 Innovate Africa Conference held at the ECOWAS Conference Hall, Abuja. He also stressed the importance of human capital development (HCD).
Wike lamented that the continent stands at a historic crossroads, endowed with immense potential yet constrained by weak institutions, policy inconsistency, and infrastructural decay.
According to him, “Africa’s paradox is that a continent so richly blessed remains so constrained. Leadership remains the decisive factor that will determine whether our abundance becomes a blessing or a curse.”
“We must move beyond transactional leadership, driven by personal gain and short-term interests, to embrace transformational leadership rooted in vision, service, and accountability,” he said. “Leadership must not rule but serve; it must not exploit but empower; it must not merely transact but transform.”
Wike stressed that no nation can develop without infrastructure, describing roads, power, railways, and digital connectivity as “the arteries through which development flows.”
He lamented that Africa’s low investment profile is tied to infrastructural deficits and weak policy frameworks that discourage investors and cited examples from Abuja’s transformation under his stewardship.
“Here in Abuja, we have shown that with vision and political will, infrastructural renewal can turn aspiration into achievement. Roads that were once impassable are now open; bridges connect communities; and public spaces thrive with life and enterprise.”
Wike, who was also honoured with the Innovate Africa Leadership Award 2025, dedicated the recognition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the resilient people of Nigeria.
He emphasized that the ongoing infrastructural renewal in the Federal Capital Territory has redefined Abuja’s global standing and demonstrated Africa’s capacity for home-grown solutions.
The FCT Minister also commended President Tinubu’s bold reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and efforts toward decentralization, describing them as courageous decisions that reflect true leadership.
“President Tinubu’s actions remind us that leadership is ultimately about sacrifice for the greater good. His reforms are repositioning Nigeria toward stability, productivity, and growth,” Wike stated.
Calling for a reimagining of investment across the continent, Wike said Africa must rise beyond aid dependency and take charge of its economic destiny through innovation, industrialization, and human capital development.
He emphasized that Africa’s future lies not in foreign aid but in strategic domestic and regional investments that empower youth, women, and entrepreneurs.
“Seventy percent of Africa’s population is under 30. This is not a statistic; it is a revolution waiting to happen,” he said. “When we invest in education, digital literacy, and innovation, we unleash the greatest demographic dividend in human history.”
Wike further urged African nations to embrace the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the new foundation for economic integration, arguing that Africa’s second liberation must be economic, replacing aid with trade and dependency with dignity.
“Africa must now rise above aid, rediscover her strength, and rebuild her institutions. The future of global prosperity will be written here on African soil, by African hands, and for the glory of Africa and all humanity,” Wike said.
Concluding his address, Wike charged leaders and investors across the continent to “lead differently, invest boldly, and believe radically” in Africa’s limitless potential.
“Africa’s future will not be given to us; we must build it. The time is now. The place is here. The responsibility is ours. And the future belongs to Africa,” he said.
The two-day Innovate Africa Conference, convened by the Innovate Africa Corporation, brought together heads of state, policymakers, investors, and innovators from across the continent to explore strategies for reimagining leadership, investment, and sustainable growth in Africa.