By Sandra Chukwunyere
Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, has called for greater recognition of investment and economic development as important tools in preventing conflicts and building lasting peace around the world.
Afolabi made the call in New York, United States, while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Global Executive Roundtable on Diplomacy, Multilateralism and Conflict Resolution, according to a statement signed by the Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group, Olumuyiwa Akande.
He said the international community should place greater emphasis on preventing conflicts before they occur by combining diplomacy and multilateral action with sustainable development, job creation and economic inclusion.
According to Afolabi, infrastructure, employment, trade and economic opportunities can help address some of the conditions that leave communities and societies vulnerable to instability.
“Peace creates the environment for investment, investment creates opportunity, and opportunity strengthens the foundations of peace,” he said.
The SIFAX chairman noted that the world is currently facing several interconnected challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate pressures, inequality and declining confidence in institutions.
He said these challenges require a coordinated response that brings together diplomacy, multilateralism, conflict resolution and sustainable economic development.
Afolabi said the connection between peace and development was particularly important for Africa, where infrastructure gaps, limited access to financing, trade barriers and inadequate economic opportunities continue to affect development.
“Africa’s peace building agenda must be accompanied by an investment agenda. We need investment in transport infrastructure, ports, energy, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education and human capital,” he said.
He also called for stronger regional value chains and better connectivity among African economies, stressing that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would depend on more than the signing of trade agreements.
According to him, efficient infrastructure, logistics, digital systems, financing and political cooperation are essential to unlocking the full benefits of continental trade.
“Trade and connectivity can create shared interests among nations. The success of AfCFTA depends not only on trade agreements but on infrastructure, efficient logistics, digital systems, financing and political cooperation,” he said.
Afolabi further highlighted the role of the private sector in building economic links among communities, businesses and countries.
Drawing from SIFAX Group’s operations across maritime, logistics, aviation, financial services, oil and gas and hospitality, he said infrastructure and connectivity should be regarded not only as commercial activities but also as drivers of broader economic development.
“A functioning logistics system can connect farmers to markets, manufacturers to consumers, businesses to international value chains and countries to one another,” Afolabi said.
He added that such economic connections could create shared interests and incentives for cooperation, making infrastructure and investment important elements of a wider strategy for peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
