Ladi Ayobami Animashaun: Redesigning Africa's Economy

Ladi Ayobami Animashaun, a British-trained software engineer and strategist, emphasizes the need for Africa to redesign its economic systems to unlock its vast potential. Despite having a GDP of approximately $3 trillion and a population exceeding 1.3 billion, Africa's intra-African trade accounts for only 15% of total trade.

Animashaun, with over two decades of experience in redesigning complex systems across technology, energy, and infrastructure, argues that Africa's economic growth is hindered by structural inefficiencies. She advocates for a shift from an extractive economy to one that focuses on local processing and manufacturing, thereby capturing greater value from resources.

Her framework envisions a future where Nigeria and other African nations diversify their economies beyond oil and raw material exports, fostering local industries and enhancing regional market connectivity. This approach aims to create a sustainable economic model that retains value within African economies rather than merely serving as suppliers of raw materials.