Reparations must dismantle systems limiting Africa’s progress – ECA boss (Page 500)

By Taiye Olayemi

Mr Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), says reparations must transform global systems that still restrict Africa’s development.

He made the call in an op-ed shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the ECA Communications Section on Tuesday.

He said the African Union had placed reparations at the centre of its 2025 agenda, marking a historic shift in continental priorities.

Gatete explained that reparations should correct structural imbalances so Africa’s land and resources supported shared prosperity rather than entrenched inequality.

He noted that Africa continued to operate within a global order shaped by enslavement, colonisation and dispossession, with extractive logic now seen in unfair trade regimes.

He added that unequal finance, inflated borrowing costs and flawed credit ratings still undervalued African economies in global assessments.

According to him, land governance, justice and reparations are not backward-looking themes but essential tools for renewal and sustainable development.

He recalled that the 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa had placed land at the centre of discussions linking past injustice and current exclusion.

“The conference had framed reparations as a forward-looking agenda connecting land rights, fair finance, climate resilience and industrialisation.

“Africa holds large mineral reserves and vast arable land yet remained a minor player in global trade and manufacturing,” he said.

The ECA boss cited estimates suggesting that the continent lost 88 billion dollars annually to illicit financial flows, limiting prospects for structural transformation.

He said stakeholders had agreed that transformative reparations must address the rules and institutions that kept Africa at the bottom of value chains.

He argued that African countries should no longer export raw cocoa, lithium or crude oil when value-added production was possible locally.

Gatete said reparations should enable African states to generate and retain value instead of surrendering it to external processing firms.

He added that strong land governance and secure tenure, especially for women and youth, should anchor any credible reparations agenda.

He noted that transparent land systems underpinned food security, investment, stability and peace, making them essential to development.

Gatete said land reforms needed to reflect national laws, local contexts and community priorities rather than externally imposed models.

He explained that digital tools and climate-smart approaches could modernise land administration and protect vulnerable communities.

He identified African universities as crucial institutions for generating knowledge and innovation to support land justice and industrial growth.

“Universities should align training with future industries and draw on indigenous knowledge to address development challenges.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) offers the scale required to build regional value chains and competitive industries.

“Reparations have to link with regional integration to create jobs, expand markets and strengthen Africa’s economic autonomy,” he said.

Gatete added that the diaspora should be regarded as a strategic partner whose capital and expertise could support industrial and digital transitions.

He said Africa also needed policies that protected diaspora rights, recognised their contributions and integrated their interests.

He explained that reparations would be meaningful only when they rebalanced power over land, capital, technology and knowledge.

The ECA chief said true progress would emerge when finance became fair, land rights inclusive and African industries processed African resources.

He stated that, in such a future, land would serve as the foundation of a just, prosperous and confident Africa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Reparations must dismantle systems limiting Africa’s progress – ECA boss

By: Folashade Adeniran

On: December 9, 2025

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Taiye Olayemi Mr Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), says reparations must transform global systems that still restrict Africa’s development. He made the call in an op-ed shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by theContinue Reading

Disability inclusion not charity but justice, human rights – Foundation

By: Folashade Adeniran

On: December 9, 2025

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe Mr Festus Akintoye, the Chief Executive Officer of Pa Philip Akintoye Development Foundation (PAPADEF), has called on governments, institutions and citizens to promote inclusive development for persons with disabilities through innovation and accessibility. Akintoye madeContinue Reading

AFAN, group sign MoU on organic fertiliser, food security

By: Tosin Kolade

On: December 9, 2025

In: Agriculture

With: 0 Comments

By Patricia Amogu The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Value 360 Ventures, an international agribusiness organisation, to improve fertiliser quality and soil fertility for enhanced food security. AFAN President, Dr Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the signingContinue Reading

ICPC urges radical transparency in procurement

By: Tosin Kolade

On: December 9, 2025

In: Defence/Security

With: 0 Comments

By Isaac Aregbesola Musa Aliyu, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has urged procurement officers to adopt “radical transparency” to curb the loss of billions of naira annually to graft. The chairman made the call on Tuesday, in Abuja , at a one-day procurement engagement workshopContinue Reading

Dangote Sugar’s new packs excite customers at Kano Fair

By: Ismail Abdulaziz

On: December 9, 2025

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

Marketers and participants at the just-concluded Kano International Trade Fair have endorsed the new Dangote Sugar packs, describing them as convenient, consumer-friendly, and well-suited for both household use and retailing. Dangote Sugar recently unveiled new pack sizes, including 100g sachets and 25kg bags aimed at increasing affordability and market penetration.Continue Reading

Tinubu Sports Festival: Shine FC defeats Academy FC to represent Akure zone

By: Tosin Kolade

On: December 9, 2025

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Segun Giwa Shine FC of Akure on Tuesday defeated Academy FC in the last preliminary match of the President Bola Tinubu Sports Festival organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State chapter. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition, which started on Nov. 6,Continue Reading

319 students benefitted from our 12 tuition-free programmes- Achievers Varsity

By: Tosin Kolade

On: December 9, 2025

In: Education

With: 0 Comments

By Alaba Olusola Oke The Achievers University, Owo in Ondo State, says 319 students have benefited from its 12 tuition-free academic programmes. Prof. Oyesoji Aremu, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the institution, stated this on Monday in Owo at a news conference heralding the 15th convocation and 18th Foundation Day ofContinue Reading

GCR upgrades NEM Insurance to AA+ with stable outlook

By: Folashade Adeniran

On: December 9, 2025

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Taiye Olayemi GCR Ratings has upgraded NEM Insurance Plc’s national scale financial strength rating to AA+ (NG), citing “sustained competitive strength” in the non-life market. The agency, in a statement on Monday,Continue Reading

SEC aligns capital market master plan with national development goals

By: Folashade Adeniran

On: December 9, 2025

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Taiye Olayemi Dr Emomotimi Agama, SEC Director-General, says the renewed Capital Market Master Plan will align closely with Nigeria’s National Development Plan. Speaking at the Capital Market Committee meeting in Lagos on Monday, he said theContinue Reading

SEC sets 2026 recapitalisation plan

By: Folashade Adeniran

On: December 9, 2025

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Taiye Olayemi The Securities and Exchange Commission has confirmed plans to begin recapitalisation for all capital market intermediaries in 2026, marking a major regulatory shift. Dr Emomotimi Agama, the commission’s Director-General, revealed the move duringContinue Reading

Follows Us

Reparations must dismantle systems limiting Africa’s progress – ECA boss (Page 500)