Vice President Kashim Shettima joined global leaders at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to champion the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the “Forum Friends of AfCFTA” event, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to digital transformation and economic integration across Africa. He highlighted Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, projected to reach 440 million by 2050, surpassing the United States as the third most populous nation globally. He also noted that Nigeria currently has 220 million telecom subscribers and 163 million internet users.
Shettima described AfCFTA as more than an economic arrangement, calling it “a bold statement of our shared destiny.”
World Economic Forum President Børge Brende emphasized AfCFTA’s potential, predicting that with adequate support for its Secretary General, intra-African trade could increase by 50%. He highlighted Africa’s demographic advantage while pointing to the challenge of creating jobs for its burgeoning youth population.
A Korn Ferry study cited during the forum projected a global human talent shortage of 85 million people by 2030, underscoring Africa’s critical role in addressing this gap.
The event drew leaders from South Africa, Botswana, DR Congo, Somalia, Egypt, and other nations, reflecting the broad participation in advancing Africa’s economic future.
