Silence the guns, reform economies to attract investors – Mahama to African Leaders

President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to prioritise peace, economic stability, and good governance as the foundation for attracting sustainable investment into the continent.

According to him, Africa’s ability to compete globally will not depend on wishful thinking, but on deliberate reforms that create the right environment for trade and business.

Speaking at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the president noted that partnerships with the international community remain important, but the ultimate responsibility rests with African governments.

“While partnerships such as what we are forging here at TICAD 9 are important, a lot of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of African leaders to create an environment that is conducive to trade and investments,” he said.

President Mahama stressed that Africa must pursue mutually beneficial partnerships while undertaking the “hard and necessary reforms” needed to make the continent a credible investment destination.

“We wish to partner with any nation of the world on the basis of a win-win. But let us not kid ourselves. Trade investment will not come to Africa merely because we wish it. We must undertake the hard and necessary reforms to make Africa an attractive destination for investment,” he added.

He underscored peace and stability as key to development, warning that conflicts and weak governance structures deter investors.

“That is why we must silence the guns and stop the fighting. That is why we must reform our economies and make them more stable and predictable. And it is why we must reform our governance and make public service accountable and free of corruption,” President Mahama stated