Nigeria targets Africa’s future through inclusion, investment — Shettima

By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to shaping Africa’s future through inclusive growth, strategic investment, and impactful partnerships, saying the government alone cannot address the continent’s development challenges.

Shettima stated this on Wednesday at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) High-Level Policy Engagement held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was represented at the event by his Technical Adviser on Women, Youth Engagement, and Impact, Hajiya Hauwa Liman.

The Vice President said Nigeria is strengthening initiatives such as the Business Coalition for Education and the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion platform as part of efforts to drive sustainable development across the continent.

“Government alone cannot solve Africa’s development challenges,” Shettima said, stressing the need for collaboration among the public sector, private investors, development partners, and civil society.

He described the Africa Social Impact Summit as a platform that must go beyond dialogue to deliver concrete outcomes, noting that over the years it has evolved into one of Africa’s most influential forums for development engagement.

“We must move from intent to execution, from dialogue to decision, and from partnerships to measurable outcomes,” he said.

Shettima noted that development should no longer be viewed solely as public expenditure but as long-term investment in human capital, climate resilience, digital infrastructure, productive systems, and inclusive markets.

According to him, Africa’s future will not be financed by aid alone but through patient and catalytic capital, blended finance, and private enterprise deployed at scale and guided by impact.