- Peter Obi, Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, highlights leadership recruitment challenges in Africa as a barrier to the continent’s development at a summit in London
- Obi proposes collaborative initiatives with the Commonwealth to address leadership deficits, including a special fund for infrastructure and SME development
Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 2023 election, underscored the critical role of the leadership recruitment process as a major impediment to Africa’s development. Speaking at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London, Obi emphasized that this challenge hinders the effective utilization of opportunities across the continent.
In his opening remarks titled ‘Harnessing the African Opportunity,’ Obi identified political leadership recruitment and sustenance as the most crucial factor requiring support from strategic partners like the Commonwealth. He asserted that Africa’s significant deficit lies in leadership, making it imperative to establish accountable and responsible leadership for sustainable growth.
“This will be the most effective way through which our internal coherence and external connectedness can be properly harnessed for the sustainable and inclusive growth and development of Africa,” said Obi.
He proposed several initiatives for the African Consensus in collaboration with the Commonwealth, including the establishment of a special fund for infrastructure and African SME development, incentives to boost product and service exports, knowledge and skill exchange programs, and the formulation of a globally attractive African Development Agenda/Framework.
Obi acknowledged the challenges facing Africa, including leadership failures, limited funding access, inadequate infrastructure, rural-urban migration, and barriers to women and youth empowerment. He stressed the need for concerted efforts to address these challenges to unlock Africa’s vast potential and opportunities.
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