Abuja: A former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a re-examination of governance systems in Africa to achieve African Renaissance. Obasanjo made this appeal while speaking on the topic ‘African Renaissance in an Era of Turbulence: Are the Lions Still on the Move?’ at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Obasanjo emphasized that Africa’s progress depends on its leaders’ ability to work together and prioritize the continent’s interests. He pointed out that the current system of Western liberal democracy, inherited from colonial powers, is not working in the best interests of the continent. Obasanjo urged for a review of these systems to better align with Africa’s needs, suggesting that pre-colonial governance systems, which emphasized communalism and collective decision-making, could offer valuable lessons for modern governance and help combat corruption.
He argued that the political landscape should not be divided between government and opposition, as was the case before colonization, but should involve everyone working together. Obasanjo highlighted the economic and political stagnation in influential African nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa, stating that these countries are not progressing as expected.
Obasanjo stressed the importance of equipping African leaders with the necessary knowledge to navigate the complexities of the global economy. He questioned the understanding African leaders have of the world and emphasized that informed leadership would lead to the formulation of appropriate policies at various levels, which would align with global situations.
He also criticized Africa’s reliance on foreign aid, particularly from countries like China, arguing that this dependency limits Africa’s development pace. Obasanjo pointed to Ethiopia’s self-sufficiency in wheat production and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as examples of successful initiatives that demonstrate Africa’s potential for progress.
Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was highlighted as a platform promoting economic integration and cooperation, enhancing intra-African trade and investment. Obasanjo called for continued efforts in successful areas and encouraged learning from each other to propel the continent’s powerful nations forward. He concluded by expressing confidence that once the leading nations, metaphorically referred to as “lions,” make progress, the smaller nations, or “cubs,” will follow suit.