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President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to rise to the challenge of steering the continent toward a stronger role in the global economy, urging bold action and visionary leadership in the face of shifting world dynamics.
Delivering his address at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, President Mahama warned that the global trading system was facing an existential crisis.
According to him, rising protectionism, unilateral trade decisions, and escalating tariff wars between major economies are not only disrupting global supply chains but also threatening long-term growth prospects.
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“We are holding 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 stated.
He lamented that the world’s largest economy, which once led the charge for open trade, had become increasingly insular, prioritising domestic concerns at the expense of global cooperation.
“The recent round of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs has sparked world trade and the global economy. The ripple effects of these trade wars will be felt for years to come, threatening global growth and prosperity,” President Mahama cautioned.
President Mahama argued that Africa, with a population of 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class, possesses the demographic and economic weight to become a central player in global markets. However, he emphasised that the continent’s potential could only be realised if its leaders take deliberate steps to create enabling environments for trade, investment, and innovation.
He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative initiative capable of unlocking Africa’s market power and making the continent more attractive to investors.
“Africa is open for business, and it is the next frontier for trade and investment. But while partnerships such as TICAD remain important, the ultimate responsibility lies with African leaders to create conditions that will encourage investment, strengthen institutions, and promote inclusive growth,” he added.
The President further called for the creation of a “coalition of the willing” among African and like-minded nations across the globe to chart an alternative path for sustainable global growth. He said the coalition would allow countries outside the traditional power blocs to pool resources, build resilience, and ensure their voices are heard on the global stage.
Mahama’s address received strong applause from African and Asian delegates, many of whom echoed his sentiment that Africa must move from the margins to the centre of the global economy.
He concluded by stressing that the current generation of African leaders has a historic duty to ensure that the continent is not left behind in the new world order.
“The future is in our hands. Africa must not only claim its seat at the table but also help shape the agenda of global trade and development,” he said.
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