Chairman, Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has called for what he described as “a stronger integration of economic investment” into the global architecture for conflict prevention.
Afolabi hinged his call on the fact that infrastructure, employment, trade and economic opportunity can help address some of the structural conditions that make societies vulnerable to instability.
The Sifax Group Chairman who stated this in New York, United States of America (USA) at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level global executive roundtable on diplomacy, multilateralism and conflict resolution averred that the international community must move beyond responding to conflicts after they erupt and place greater emphasis on preventive diplomacy, sustainable development and economic inclusion.
He argued that peace and prosperity are mutually reinforcing in the attainment of set goals and objectives.
Afolabi’s words: “Peace creates the environment for investment, investment creates opportunity, and opportunity strengthens the foundations of peace.”
He noted that the world is currently confronted by a combination of geo-political tensions, economic uncertainty, climate pressures, inequality and declining trust in institutions.
While arguing that these challenges require a coordinated response built around diplomacy, multilateralism, conflict resolution and sustainable economic development, he stated that the relationship between peace and development is particularly important for Africa where infrastructure deficits, financing constraints, trade barriers and limited economic opportunities continue to affect the continent’s development prospects.
These were contained in a statement issued by Sifax Group and signed by its Group Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akande and made available to Maritime Bits.
“Africa’s peace building agenda must be accompanied by an investment agenda. We need investment in transport infrastructure, ports, energy, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education and human capital,” he said.
Afolabi also called for what he called “stronger regional value chains and improved connectivity”, across African economies, stressing that the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) requires more than trade agreements.
His words: “Trade and connectivity can create shared interests among nations. The success of AfCFTA depends not only on trade agreements but on infrastructure, efficient logistics, digital systems, financing and political cooperation.”
Afolabi further highlighted the role of the private sector in creating economic connections that can strengthen co-operation between communities, businesses and countries.
Drawing on Sifax Group’s experience across maritime, logistics, aviation, financial services, oil and gas and hospitality, he said infrastructure and connectivity should be viewed not merely as commercial activities but as important components of economic development.
“A functioning logistics system can connect farmers to markets, manufacturers to consumers, businesses to international value chains and countries to one another,” he said.
According to him, these economic connections can generate shared interests and incentives for co-operation, making infrastructure an important component of a broader peace building strategy.
