UNDP’s Ahunna Eziakonwa: US Tariffs Are a Wake-Up Call for Africa to Focus on Non-Oil Sector
Naija247news – Lagos, Nigeria – In an exclusive interview at Channels Television’s headquarters in Lagos, the United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, has stated that the recent tariff increases by the United States should serve as a wake-up call for African countries to shift their focus away from foreign aid and towards sustainable economic transformation.
Eziakonwa emphasized that the technicalities of foreign aid, which have long been a subject of debate and negotiation, have created significant challenges for countries like Nigeria striving to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted that Africa’s dependency on foreign assistance has hindered the continent’s ability to implement long-term solutions and prioritize structured economic transformation.
A Wake-Up Call for Africa
Eziakonwa framed the recent global developments, particularly the tariff hikes imposed by the United States, as a stark reminder of the urgency for African nations to diversify their economies and move beyond dependence on external aid.
“What is happening now globally is a wake-up call for Africa,” she said. “What is making the achievement of the SDG that much more difficult, yes, there has been COVID, yes, there has been a lot of financial turbulence, but the fact that we have not been able to go beyond aid to really prioritize things like structured transformation that allows us to add value to our raw materials…”
She pointed out that Africa has largely been exporting raw materials rather than creating industries that can add value and generate jobs. According to Eziakonwa, this is a major issue that needs urgent attention. Industrialization, she argued, is key to creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and ensuring sustainable development for the continent.
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The Challenge of Over-Reliance on Oil
Eziakonwa also stressed the need for African countries to reduce their dependency on oil, pointing out the volatility in global oil prices. The recent increase in tariffs, especially the 14% tariff on Nigerian exports to the U.S., underscores the vulnerability of economies like Nigeria’s that are heavily reliant on oil exports.
“You can’t just be an oil economy anymore; the volatility is too much, you can crash at any moment when the prices go down. So, you have to be forced to look at the non-oil sector,” she said.
She suggested that the non-oil sector—such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services—should be at the forefront of Africa’s economic diversification strategy. These sectors not only offer stability but also provide long-term growth prospects for the continent, which can help mitigate the economic risks posed by fluctuating oil prices.
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Impact of Recent US Tariffs on Africa
The global trade landscape has shifted dramatically with the United States’ decision to impose significant tariffs on Chinese imports in early April 2025. This move escalated tensions between the U.S. and China, resulting in the imposition of a 125% tariff on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China raised tariffs on U.S. imports from 84% to 125%. This ongoing trade conflict has far-reaching implications for global markets, including African countries like Nigeria.
As part of its broader trade strategy, the U.S. imposed a 14% tariff on most imports from Nigeria, a measure that was initially part of efforts to address global trade imbalances. However, on April 9, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of these reciprocal tariffs, which includes Nigeria and 60 other countries.
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Looking Ahead: Economic Transformation for Africa
While the suspension of the 14% tariff on Nigerian goods offers temporary relief, Eziakonwa underscored the importance of long-term solutions that go beyond tariff relief. For her, the way forward for Africa is clear: focusing on industrialization, job creation, and diversification into the non-oil sector is the key to unlocking sustainable growth and reducing dependence on external financial aid.
“We need to industrialize, to do a little bit more manufacturing,” Eziakonwa concluded, stressing the urgency for African nations to implement bold economic strategies that focus on self-sufficiency and diversification.
This call to action for African leaders is a critical reminder that the global landscape is changing, and Africa must adapt to these shifts by investing in its own development rather than relying on foreign assistance.
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Conclusion
The recent tariffs imposed by the United States, alongside the broader trade tensions between major global economies, have highlighted the vulnerability of African nations dependent on raw material exports and foreign aid. Ahunna Eziakonwa’s comments serve as a wake-up call for Africa to move beyond short-term aid solutions and focus on long-term economic transformation through the development of the non-oil sector and industrialization.
Africa’s future prosperity lies in its ability to adapt to global changes and build sustainable, diversified economies that do not rely on external aid or the volatility of commodity markets like oil.
Babatunde Akinsola ✔
Babatunde Akinsola is aNaija247news' Southwest editor. He's based in Lagos and writes on the Yoruba Nation political issues, news and investigative reports
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