Sub-nationals key to Africa’s investment, trade growth – Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called for greater involvement of subnational governments in Africa’s trade and investment landscape, emphasizing that real economic integration must begin at the state and regional levels.

Speaking at the Africa Business Forum 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday, Makinde urged the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to actively engage subnational entities to drive economic growth.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan.

Makinde noted that while discussions on trade, investments, and economic integration often take place at the national level, implementation largely rests with subnationals.

“When we talk about trade, investment, and integrating Africa’s economies, decisions may be made at the national level, but execution must happen at the subnational level,” he told journalists after a ‘Show and Tell’ session at the event.

According to him, Oyo State has leveraged agribusiness to drive economic expansion, import substitution, and foreign exchange generation.

“We know that agribusiness and agriculture give us a comparative advantage, and we have positioned Oyo State to tap into the opportunities available across the continent. We are not just producing for import substitution in Nigeria; we are actively working to export and generate foreign exchange,” he said.

Makinde highlighted the Fashola Agribusiness Industrial Hub as a major success, attracting interest from within and outside Nigeria.

“The Fasola farm estate has hosted visitors, including presidents of other countries. In two weeks, I will be hosting the President of Sierra Leone there. We are also working on collaborations with the Republic of Benin, given that Oyo State shares borders with them at Saki and Iwajowa Local Governments,” he said.

The governor stressed that Africa’s future lies in cross-border economic partnerships and an enabling environment for trade and investment.

“We must create the right linkages and opportunities. That is the future of Africa—collaboration and economic integration at the subnational level,” he added.