UNGA 81: Africa Demands More Voice, More Value From Its Resources

Africa is arriving at the United Nations General Assembly with a familiar complaint and a bigger demand.

The African Union wants the continent to have a stronger voice in global decision-making, including permanent African representation on the UN Security Council.

AU and UN leaders have also discussed reform of international financial institutions, debt sustainability and how African countries can gain more value from their mineral resources.

Why This Matters to Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa’s largest population and one of its biggest economies.It also has oil, gas, lithium, gold, uranium, iron ore and other strategic resources.

Yet the question confronting African governments is increasingly simple: Why should Africa remain mainly a supplier of raw materials while decisions about the global economy are made elsewhere?

The AU is also pushing issues around climate finance, digital cooperation and global governance.

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For Nigeria, the UNGA is therefore not simply about who delivers a speech. It is about what the country negotiates, what alliances it builds and whether Africa can convert its population and resources into greater influence.