Africa’s trade marginalisation threatens global stability — Tuggar
By Kunle Sanni –
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has warned that Africa’s limited share of global trade is incompatible with the continent’s large population and poses long-term risks to global stability.
Tuggar spoke on Wednesday at the 2026 Annual Conference of Ambassadors in Spain, held under the theme “Good Neighbourliness: Building Bridges or Building Walls.” He said Africa’s continued dependence on exporting raw materials while importing manufactured goods entrenches underdevelopment and deepens economic pressures across the continent.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister noted that the effects of these trade imbalances are not confined to Africa but spill across borders, fuelling instability that affects Europe and other regions.
He described Africa and Europe as part of a single geopolitical space, closely linked by geography, history, and economic interdependence, adding that instability in Africa inevitably has consequences for Europe.
Tuggar urged European countries to prioritise partnerships that support industrialisation, value-chain development, and fairer trade access for African economies, stressing that sustainable growth on the continent would yield mutual benefits.
He also cautioned against migration policies driven by fear. While reaffirming Nigeria’s opposition to irregular migration, the minister warned that the weaponisation of anti-migrant sentiment and the securitisation of labour mobility have contributed to destabilising outcomes, particularly in the Sahel.
The minister highlighted ongoing Nigeria–Spain cooperation in areas such as migration management, police training, and the fight against human trafficking and smuggling, describing them as positive examples of constructive bilateral engagement.
