Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African countries to end the long-standing practice of exporting raw materials without processing them, urging the continent to focus on local value addition to drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen its position in global trade.
Shettima made the call on Friday during a tour and assessment of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, where he stressed the need for African nations to take greater control of their natural resources and industrial development.
According to him, Africa is richly blessed with abundant mineral and agricultural resources, but the continent has continued to lose significant economic value by exporting them in their raw form while importing finished products at much higher costs.
The Vice President said African governments must invest in industries capable of processing raw materials into finished and semi-finished products, noting that industrialisation remains the key to sustainable economic growth, increased exports, and improved living standards.
Shettima also reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda through strategic partnerships with state governments and the private sector. He said the Federal Government is working to ensure that industrial development reaches every part of the country, creating opportunities for businesses and citizens alike.
He described the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone as a practical example of how African countries can promote manufacturing, attract investment, and generate employment through value addition, expressing hope that similar models would be replicated across the continent.
Shettima maintained that Africa’s future prosperity depends on its ability to process its own resources, build competitive industries, and reduce dependence on exporting unprocessed commodities.
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