The Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, has urged governments and international institutions to make economic investment a central part of global efforts to prevent conflict, arguing that infrastructure, jobs, trade and economic opportunities can help tackle some of the underlying conditions that fuel instability.
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.
He said the international community should shift greater attention from reacting to conflicts after they erupt towards preventive diplomacy, sustainable development and economic inclusion.
According to Afolabi, peace and economic prosperity are closely connected, with stable societies providing an environment for investment while investment and economic opportunity can, in turn, strengthen stability.
“Peace creates the environment for investment, investment creates opportunity, and opportunity strengthens the foundations of peace,” he said.
Afolabi's remarks come against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate-related pressures, inequality and declining public trust in institutions.
He said the combination of these challenges required a coordinated international response that brings together diplomacy, multilateralism, conflict resolution and sustainable economic development.
Africa needs an investment-led peace agenda
Afolabi placed particular emphasis on Africa, where he said infrastructure deficits, limited access to financing, trade barriers and insufficient economic opportunities continue to constrain development and could leave communities vulnerable to instability.
He argued that efforts to build lasting peace on the continent should therefore go hand in hand with efforts to expand investment and economic opportunity.
“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.
According to him, investment in these sectors would not only support economic growth but could also strengthen the links between communities and markets while creating opportunities for young people and businesses.
He also called for stronger regional value chains and improved connectivity between African economies, saying the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area requires more than the removal of trade barriers.
“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.
Private sector can strengthen economic ties
The SIFAX chairman also highlighted the role of the private sector in building economic relationships that can promote cooperation among communities, businesses and countries.
Drawing on SIFAX Group's operations across maritime, logistics, aviation, financial services, oil and gas and hospitality, Afolabi said infrastructure and connectivity should not be viewed solely through the lens of commercial activity.
Instead, he argued that they should be recognised as important elements of broader economic and social development.
“A functioning logistics system can connect farmers to markets, manufacturers to consumers, businesses to international value chains and countries to one another,” he said.
Afolabi said such connections could create common economic interests among countries and communities, providing additional incentives for cooperation.
He therefore described infrastructure as more than physical assets such as ports, roads, energy facilities and digital networks, arguing that effective connectivity can contribute to a broader strategy for peacebuilding and economic inclusion.
From conflict response to prevention
The SIFAX chairman's position centres on a shift from a predominantly reactive approach to conflict towards one that addresses economic and social vulnerabilities before they develop into crises.
He said investment, employment and access to markets could help strengthen the foundations of stability by giving communities and businesses greater economic stakes in peaceful cooperation.
For Africa, he maintained that improving transport networks, energy supply, digital infrastructure, financing and regional trade would be critical to unlocking the continent's economic potential.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation between governments, international institutions and the private sector in delivering the investments required.
The comments at the New York roundtable placed economic development alongside diplomacy and multilateral engagement as components of a broader approach to preventing conflict and promoting sustainable peace.