Vice President Kashim Shettima has once again underscored the urgent need for Nigeria—and indeed Africa—to transition from extractive commerce to productive intra-African trade. Speaking at the Pre-Investor Forum of the Intra-African Trade and Investment Conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the Vice President called on state governors and the private sector to take the lead in driving the continent’s economic revival.
Citing the theme, “Facilitating Intra-African Trade & Investment: Unlocking the Potential of African Direct Investments and Foreign Direct Investments for Sustainable Growth,” Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, highlighted Africa’s glaring trade imbalance. While intra-regional trade accounts for 65% in Europe and 60% in Asia, Africa trails significantly at just 17%. He described this gap not as a sign of failure, but as a vast reservoir of untapped opportunity—one that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) was designed to unlock.
This call by the Vice President resonates deeply with the vision and mission of Cavista Holdings, a leading African investment group championing innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across the continent. Cavista’s operations—ranging from Glocient Hospitality, which is redefining Africa’s tourism landscape, to Agbeyewa Farms, the world’s largest cassava farm—perfectly embody the kind of strategic private sector leadership Shettima envisions.
Through its bold investments in agriculture, technology, and hospitality, Cavista Holdings has demonstrated how visionary leadership can align with government objectives to drive GDP growth, enhance foreign direct investment, and create sustainable jobs. This is precisely the partnership-driven model that can reposition Africa as a global hub of trade, innovation, and enterprise.
Indeed, as the Vice President rightly emphasized, Africa’s transformation will be achieved when “leadership meets partnership.” Leaders like John Olajide, Founder and Chairman of Cavista Holdings, exemplify this synergy—proving that when bold ideas meet strong institutions, Africa’s economic potential becomes limitless.
Cavista’s story is Africa’s future—a future built not on dependency, but on collaboration, creativity, and confidence in African excellence.
