Every year on May 25, Africa Day gives us a moment to pause and reflect on our journey as a continent, on how far we’ve come, and on the future we want to shape. In his powerful essay, Nigerian journalist and pan-African advocate Tolu Ogunlesi challenges us to do more than celebrate. He calls us to act.
“Don’t agonise; organise!” —Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem
Ogunlesi draws on this iconic quote to remind us that Africa’s promise won’t be fulfilled through wishful thinking. Instead, it requires bold decisions, strategic collaboration, and determined leadership from Africans, for Africa.
Honouring Visionary Voices
For Ogunlesi, Africa Day brings back memories of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, a fierce advocate for pan-Africanism who died on Africa Day in 2009. His legacy continues to inspire a generation of thinkers and doers.
Ogunlesi also celebrates the work of the United Bank for Africa (UBA)—a pan-African institution that walks the talk when it comes to African-led development. After participating in a UBA Africa Day panel in 2020, he became a keen observer of the bank’s continent-wide efforts.
Africapitalism in Action
UBA’s commitment to Africa is more than a message. It’s a model. In 2024, 51.7% of the bank’s revenue came from operations outside Nigeria. With a presence in 20 African countries and major international hubs, UBA is leading by example.
This is Africapitalism in motion—a philosophy championed by Tony Elumelu, UBA’s Group Chairman, that places economic development and African empowerment at the centre of business.
“No one but us will develop Africa.” —Tony Elumelu
That principle is reflected in real numbers, real projects, and real impact.
The Long Road to Unity—and the Road Ahead
Ogunlesi recalls a vivid story: an American investment banker who served on UBA’s board in the 1970s once drove from Paris to Lagos as a teenager. What sounds impossible today was once doable, and it symbolises the kind of connected, borderless Africa we must reimagine and rebuild.
In the same spirit, Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. Born in the wake of colonialism, the OAU embodied a radical vision for unity. Today, that vision must translate into regional infrastructure, trade cooperation, and institutional strength.
Real Progress, Bold Plans
Africa is not standing still. Key milestones are already reshaping the continent’s financial future:
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is reducing barriers to intra-African trade.
The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation is strengthening medical independence.
In 2024, UBA signed a $6 billion agreement with AfCFTA to empower SMEs across the continent.
In 2025, the African Union approved new institutions including:
The African Credit Rating Agency
An African Financial Stability Mechanism
The soon-to-be-launched African Energy Bank
And by 2028, the African Central Bank is expected to open its doors.
These moves are not just symbolic. They’re transformative.
Self-Reliance Is No Longer Optional
The past five years have exposed the risks of dependency. From COVID-19 to supply chain disruptions, Africa has learned the hard way that self-sufficiency in food, energy, medicine, and manufacturing is vital.
The world is unpredictable. But Africa doesn’t have to remain vulnerable. The continent must seize this moment to invest in local solutions—and own its growth narrative.
Our Youth: The Continent’s Superpower
Ogunlesi points to Africa’s young population as a strategic advantage. With the right investments in education, entrepreneurship, and innovation, this demographic edge can become the engine of Africa’s prosperity.
But that only happens if ambition is matched with execution, and policies meet the people they’re meant to serve.
Africa Day Is a Call to Action
Africa Day 2025 is more than a date. It’s a rallying cry to build the Africa we believe in—one bold step at a time.
Let’s honour the legacy of those who came before us. Let’s champion institutions like UBA that are investing in Africa’s future. And most importantly, let’s turn vision into results. The world is watching. The time is now.
Read the original article by Tolu Ogunlesi: Africa Day 2025: Igniting the continent’s promise on the global stage.
