By Seun Ibiyemi
Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, has called for greater integration of economic investment into global conflict-prevention efforts, arguing that infrastructure, employment and economic opportunities can help address conditions that contribute to instability.
Afolabi made the call in New York, United States, while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Global Executive Roundtable on Diplomacy, Multilateralism and Conflict Resolution.
He urged the international community to place greater emphasis on preventive diplomacy, sustainable development and economic inclusion rather than concentrating primarily on responses after conflicts have erupted.
According to him, peace and economic prosperity are mutually reinforcing, with stable societies creating conditions for investment while investment generates opportunities that can strengthen social stability.
“Peace creates the environment for investment, investment creates opportunity, and opportunity strengthens the foundations of peace,” Afolabi said.
(Left-Right): Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Financing, Mrs. Titi Oshodi; Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Permanent Representative of Nigeria to United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; Former Chairman, O’odua Investment Company, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, GMD, O’odua Investment Company, Abdulrahman Yinusa and the Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Development Partners Coordination, Dr. Bayo Adenekan at this year’s United Nations General Assembly High-Level Global Executive Roundtable held in New York, United States.
He identified geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate pressures, inequality and declining public trust in institutions as some of the challenges currently confronting the global community.
Afolabi said addressing these challenges required stronger coordination around diplomacy, multilateralism, conflict resolution and sustainable economic development.
The SIFAX chairman said the connection between peace and development was particularly important for Africa, where infrastructure deficits, limited access to financing, trade barriers and inadequate economic opportunities continue to constrain development.
He called for increased investment in transport infrastructure, ports, energy, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education and human capital as part of the continent’s peacebuilding agenda.
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“Africa’s peace building agenda must be accompanied by an investment agenda. We need investment in transport infrastructure, ports, energy, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education and human capital,” he said.
Afolabi also advocated stronger regional value chains and improved connectivity among African economies, saying the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would require more than trade agreements.
He said infrastructure, efficient logistics, digital systems, financing and political cooperation were essential to achieving the objectives of the continental trade framework.
“Trade and connectivity can create shared interests among nations. The success of AfCFTA depends not only on trade agreements but on infrastructure, efficient logistics, digital systems, financing and political cooperation,” he said.
Afolabi highlighted the role of the private sector in building economic connections among communities, businesses and countries.
Drawing on SIFAX Group’s operations across maritime, logistics, aviation, financial services, oil and gas and hospitality, he said infrastructure and connectivity should be viewed not only as commercial activities but also as drivers of broader economic development.
He noted that efficient logistics systems could connect farmers to markets, manufacturers to consumers, businesses to international value chains and countries to one another.
“A functioning logistics system can connect farmers to markets, manufacturers to consumers, businesses to international value chains and countries to one another,” he said.
According to him, such economic connections can create shared interests and incentives for cooperation, making infrastructure an important component of a broader strategy for peacebuilding and sustainable development.
