Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for robust regional collaboration and trade facilitation across Africa, emphasizing that the continent’s economic renaissance hinges on extensive trade rather than charity.
Mbah stressed that Africa possesses the resources and capabilities to build its own table, rather than waiting for an invitation, and urged the continent to fully harness the potential of intra-Africa trade and the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He delivered this message on Tuesday during his closing remarks at the session titled “The Africa Opportunity: Regional Collaboration and Trade Facilitation,” held on the second and final day of the 2025 Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Summit in London.
The session explored how Africa could leverage its 1.3 billion population to enhance trade and investment. The governor pointed out that the importance of integration and trade facilitation has never been clearer, especially in light of the harsh global and existential challenges facing the continent.
“With such a large population, combined with Africa’s GDP of $3.4 trillion and the fact that 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land is found here, Africa should be building its own table – not merely waiting to be invited,” he stated.
Mbah acknowledged that one significant hurdle is converting Africa’s vast potential into tangible economic development that benefits its people. He noted that one viable solution lies in fully capitalizing on trade, particularly intra-African trade, which is the very purpose of the AfCFTA.
“The World Bank estimates that AfCFTA could lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, increase incomes for 68 million people, and bolster Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035—just a decade away,” he said.
He lamented that many of the AfCFTA’s objectives, such as the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, have yet to be realized, questioning the rationale behind Africa’s $40 billion annual expenditure on food imports.
“The vision of a continent-wide common market remains elusive. Despite our frameworks, deep-rooted structural barriers persist: only 14.4 percent of Africa’s trade is intra-African, compared to 69 percent in Europe and 59 percent in Asia.
“Merely seven percent of Africa’s trade is conducted by air, yet we endure the highest intra-continental flight costs globally. Over 70 percent of goods are transported overland, but poor road infrastructure and border bottlenecks lead to over $4 billion in lost trade annually.
“Maritime transport is significantly underutilized, with only one in ten African countries having major ports efficiently connected to inland markets. Rail systems, our most cost-effective means of bulk transport, are largely disconnected or outdated. Given that nearly a decade has passed since the signing of the AfCFTA, these statistics are disheartening,” he emphasized.
However, the governor asserted that “it is not all doom and gloom,” highlighting that it took the European Union over 35 years to establish its Single Market. He urged Africa to take proactive steps, prioritizing regulatory frameworks, human capital, and infrastructure.
“The EU didn’t just discuss integration; they backed it with laws, infrastructure, and political commitment. Africa must take heed. We cannot claim to build a common market if we are not connected—both physically and digitally. The question we must ask is not what is broken, but what must be done.
“We require more than mere political will; we need a unified legal and regulatory framework that harmonizes trade rules, streamlines procedures, and builds confidence for businesses across borders.
“Investing in key enablers is also crucial—transport corridors, smart ports, cross-border rail, digital payments, efficient customs, and unified standards must all be prioritized.
“Furthermore, no nation can exceed the potential of its human capital. This necessitates reforming our education system, which is a fundamental development imperative.
“AfCFTA is not just a symbolic initiative. We must ensure that regionalism does not become an obstacle to pan-African growth. Let us unify our markets, our ports, our railways, and our ambitions.
“So, the takeaway from today’s discussions is clear: Africa’s economic renaissance lies in extensive trade, not aid or charity. We must transform potential into performance. The time for action is now,” he concluded.
It is worth noting that Mbah also led the State Governors Roundtable session on the first day of the summit organized by the Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Council (CWEIC), where he showcased investment opportunities in Enugu State to global leaders and investors.
