Speaking at the fourth Annual Meeting of the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF), Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasised that the coordinated use of these national reserves is critical for closing infrastructure gaps, bolstering climate resilience, and addressing youth unemployment.

The meeting, held in Abuja and hosted by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), was themed: “Leveraging African Sovereign Wealth Funds to Mobilise Global Capital for Transformative Development in Africa.”

Tinubu noted that as the global landscape continues to evolve rapidly, African nations must align their ambitions with innovative financing mechanisms. “This forum comes at a time when the world is undergoing significant transformation. Africa must take advantage of the emerging opportunities,” he stated.

He challenged African sovereign funds to move beyond being fiscal buffers and become key drivers of national development. “Our future lies in regional cooperation and a collective ambition. Sovereign wealth funds should act as pan-African investment anchors—de-risking projects, streamlining processes, and delivering scalable, sustainable development,” he said.

Acknowledging the fiscal constraints faced by governments, President Tinubu advocated for a creative and impactful approach to resource utilisation. He called for investments in infrastructure, climate adaptation, food security, digital innovation, and support for MSMEs to boost growth and job creation.

He praised the NSIA for its proactive role in Nigeria’s development, particularly in renewable energy, healthcare, and agriculture. On the ASIF initiative, Tinubu said the platform could serve as a powerful tool for cross-border investment, enabling sovereign funds to collaborate, pool resources, and strengthen Africa’s voice on the global stage.

Finance Minister Wale Edun added that the forum offers a chance to drive capital mobilisation, develop human capital, and align policies for intercontinental growth. He expressed hope that the gathering would result in tangible deals to catalyse economic progress.

In his remarks, Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah urged sovereign funds to focus on financing domestic projects, stressing that Africa has numerous bankable opportunities that remain untapped due to outdated investment philosophies.

ASIF Chairman Obaid Amrane reaffirmed the forum’s dedication to integrating African sovereign funds into high-impact initiatives that improve lives and bridge financing gaps. He said the forum has already made substantial progress in positioning Africa more competitively on the global investment map.

NSIA Managing Director Aminu Umar-Sadiq said the forum focused on how sovereign wealth funds could strike a balance between bold, impact-driven investments and long-term wealth preservation. He highlighted the need for a unified, sustainable investment platform capable of attracting large-scale global capital.

Umar-Sadiq noted that several strategic agreements would be signed during the summit to strengthen cooperation and ensure African sovereign funds play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s economic future.

Renowned scholar Prof. PLO Lumumba, in his remarks, called on African leaders to retain their wealth within the continent. “Africa is not poor; it is simply suffering from misallocation of resources. Our sovereign funds must stay here and be used to build a legacy for generations to come,” he declared.