For Africa To Fulfil The Needs Of Its People, Knowledgeable Leadership Remains Critical
Channel: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
Date: 18/04/2023

Virtual Lecture At Africana Conference Of Fletcher School Titled “Africa 2050: Making Growth Work”

For Africa to fulfil the needs and yearnings of its people while attaining its growth ambitions, the role of knowledgeable leadership committed to good governance remains critical, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
 
Prof. Osinbajo stated this in a lecture he delivered virtually to the 2023 Africana Conference of the Fletcher School, Tufts University, USA, entitled “Africa 2050: Making Growth Work.”
 
The Vice President who addressed a wide range of issues affecting Africa’s development noted that though situations of wars, pandemic, political strife and energy crisis, among other factors, were inhibiting development in the continent, “leadership remains key. Africa’s growth ambitions will surely need knowledgeable leadership committed to good governance”.
 
“Apart from the serendipity of getting the right leaders at the right time, the things I have spoken about fall within the purview of national governments. The reality though is that getting the right mix, timing and sequencing of development policies and implementing them successfully remains a major challenge,” the VP noted in a lecture Saturday afternoon.
 
Similarly, the Vice President restated his view that “Africa has the potential to become the first truly green civilisation – the first civilization on earth to use renewable fuel for purposes of a transformative economic journey.”
 
According to him, "since it has the lowest carbon emissions, Africa can develop by deploying and using green energy effectively and by mobilising its young population to promote green manufacturing on a scale that would make it the global green factory of the world.”
 
Closely related to the continent's growth ambitions, Prof. Osinbajo noted, is the external environment driven by the global economic order, peace and stability.
 
Quoting Nobel Laureate, Robert Solow, "ingredients do not make a dish”, the VP explained that "one thing that also matters in the drive for growth, but which is not under the control of domestic authorities is the external environment. The global economic order matters because it frames the trade and development policy options available to developing countries.”



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Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo is a Nigerian Lawyer and Politician who is the current Vice President of Nigeria, in office since 29 May 2015.

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