Obasanjo Seeks Stronger Economic Ties Among African Countries

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on African countries to pool their resources together to form stronger pan-African economic ties. Obasanjo made this call in Lagos at the commemoration of Angola’s National Founder and Hero’s Day 2024, which is marked annually on September 17.

The traditional economic concept of Pan-Africanism aims to establish economic power for the common good by pooling resources from African people on the continent and in the diaspora. Obasanjo emphasized that while progress has been made in achieving political and cultural pan-Africanism, the focus should now shift to economic liberation.

Obasanjo highlighted various pan-African struggles, including the slave trade, colonialism, and exploitation, which have hindered Africa’s economic growth. He stressed the importance of stronger economic ties for Africa’s growth, citing the African Continental Free Trade Agreements as a step in the right direction.

The former president praised the efforts of former Cuban President Fidel Castro in Angola’s liberation, noting that Nigeria provided $20 million in financial aid to Angola’s fight for independence. Obasanjo emphasized that economic pan-Africanism is crucial for Africa’s liberation and urged African countries to work together to achieve economic emancipation.

Angolan Ambassador José Zau noted that Neto’s principles have shaped the philosophy of African brotherhood, while Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Angola in the spirit of pan-Africanism.

The event, themed “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course by Agostinho Neto,” was organized by the Embassy of Angola in Nigeria to celebrate the legacy of Angola’s first President, Agostinho Neto, who proclaimed the country’s independence on November 11, 1975.