President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to take greater responsibility in shaping the continent’s role in the global economy.
According to him, the current shifts in the world order demand bold and strategic action from Africa to position itself as a credible player in international trade and investment.
Speaking at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the president noted that the global trading system was under serious strain.
“We are holding the TICAD 9 against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world order. Multilateralism is on the retreat, and countries are increasingly acting unilaterally in their relationships with the rest of the world,” he said.
He expressed concern that the world’s largest economy, instead of driving global trade and investment, had become more inward-looking.
“The recent round of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs has sparked world trade and the global economy. The full effect of these trade wars will have a ripple effect on global growth and prosperity for years to come,” he added.
President Mahama stressed the need for a “coalition of the willing” to chart an alternative path for sustainable global growth. He pointed out that Africa, with its 1.4 billion people and expanding middle class, holds immense potential to emerge as a key player in the world economy, especially through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Africa is open for business, and it is the next frontier for trade and investment,” he said, emphasising that while partnerships such as TICAD remain vital, the ultimate responsibility lies with African leaders to create a conducive environment for trade and investment,” he added.
