Former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has described Nigeria as Africa’s leading investment destination, citing its youthful population and economic potential.
Obi, who was a guest speaker at the 4th Africa Day event organised by the Club des Entrepreneurs Monégasques en Afrique, CEMA, in Monaco on Monday, November 17, said Africa remains the “continent of tomorrow” due to its abundant human and natural resources.
He noted that by 2050, Nigeria’s population is projected to reach about 320 million, with an estimated 200 million youths who could drive innovation, productivity and growth.
According to him, the country’s long-term economic success is dependent on leaders with “capacity, compassion, character and commitment” to implement the right policies while reducing waste and corruption.
Obi stressed that prioritising investment in security, health, education and poverty alleviation could help Nigeria grow its economy to about $2 trillion by 2050 and achieve a per capita income of around $7,000.
He wrote: “Why Nigeria Remains Africa’s Greatest Investment Frontier
“Yesterday, Monday, 17th November, I was in Monaco as a guest speaker at the 4th Africa Day event, organised by the Club des Entrepreneurs Monégasques en Afrique (CEMA). I spoke on the future of Africa, especially Nigeria, by 2050.
“In my presentation, I reemphasised the fact that Africa remains the continent of tomorrow, blessed with enormous resources, particularly its youthful population—60% of whom are young people who will drive innovation and productivity.
“By 2050, Nigeria is projected to have a population of about 320 million, with roughly 200 million youths in their productive age. With competent leadership—leadership with capacity, compassion, character, and commitment—to faithfully and simultaneously implement the right developmental policies, while drastically reducing waste and corruption, Nigeria can achieve remarkable progress.
“With a firm commitment to invest strictly in critical areas of development: security, health, education, and poverty alleviation, Nigeria will be able to grow from 2030 to 2050, reaching an economy of about $2 trillion and approximately $7,000 per capita. By sustaining this growth trajectory, Nigeria can meet the Goldman Sachs projection of about $13 trillion GDP and $30,000 per capita by 2075.
“I passionately urged all attendees to the event to invest in Africa, especially Nigeria, as their gateway into the continent, in view of the immense opportunities ahead.
“I reassured them of a new Nigeria that is Possible and indeed a new Africa that is also POssible.”
