By Abubakar Yunusa
As the world grapples with a growing tariff war, Policy House, a leading economic research and advisory firm, has called on African delegates attending the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to push for a “clear and actionable roadmap” that prioritises the continent’s long-term economic interests.
More than 10,000 policymakers, development finance experts, and civil society leaders are expected to convene in Washington, D.C., from 21 to 26 April for the high-level meetings.
The call comes in the wake of a sweeping move by US President Donald Trump, who earlier this month announced tariffs of at least 10 percent on all imports into the United States. While President Trump has framed the move as a “hard reset” for American manufacturing, critics warn the protectionist policy risks further disrupting global trade.
The tariffs—which vary between 10 and 49 percent—have impacted over 50 countries, including Nigeria, several other African nations, China, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Although the US has since temporarily paused tariffs for some nations, duties on Chinese goods were raised further—from 104 percent to 125 percent—on 9 April.
In a statement issued on Friday, Policy House Executive Director Taiwo Akerele urged African leaders not to attend the meetings as passive observers but to actively shape the global economic conversation.
“This is not just another gathering. This is a moment to seize opportunities amidst global uncertainty and chart a course for Africa’s sustained economic advancement,” Akerele said.
He outlined three critical areas for engagement, beginning with a call for African nations to redefine their participation in global trade.
“With global trade routes potentially shifting, how do we, as a continent, aggressively expand our trading capabilities and significantly increase our contribution to the global economy beyond the current paltry 3 percent annual average?” Akerele asked.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of capital movement in a time of global realignments.
“As capital potentially returns from the East, how do African nations position themselves to strategically attract and effectively utilise these inflows for sustainable development?” he said, describing it as a “golden opportunity” that must not be squandered.
Akerele further urged leaders to harness the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive transformational infrastructure investment and regional integration.
“We have secured the money. The question now is, how do we deploy it into transformative infrastructure projects, leveraging the AfCFTA to ensure maximum impact?” he said.
The Policy House executive warned that Africa cannot afford to rely on “wishful thinking” at this critical juncture. “The time for decisive action is now,” he said. “African delegates must not just participate—they must influence outcomes and secure tangible economic gains for the continent.”
The 2025 Spring Meetings come at a volatile time for the global economy, with increasing calls for reform and representation from the Global South. African leaders will face mounting pressure to use the platform to demand equity, inclusion, and a strategic roadmap for shared prosperity.
