Tinubu urges G20 leaders to prioritise technology transfer, inclusive investments

President Bola Tinubu has called on leaders of the G20 nations to strengthen collaboration on technology transfer, capacity building, and investment strategies that place human dignity above mere profit.

Represented at the Third Session of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies must serve humanity rather than exacerbate inequalities.

The summit, themed “A Fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence,” offered a platform for the Nigerian leader to address the growing global disparities in technology access and economic opportunity.

“AI should be a tool for empowerment, not exclusion; for job creation, not displacement,” Tinubu stated.

President Tinubu alao urged G20 leaders to build a future where Africa evolves beyond a supplier of raw materials into a hub of innovation, industrial transformation, and value creation, ensuring that host communities benefit directly from resource exploitation.

The President further stressed the need for reform in the global financial system.

He argued that existing multilateral frameworks fail to address contemporary challenges and called for policies that tackle systemic barriers to economic growth, trade limitations, and financial exclusion, particularly for developing nations.

“Critical minerals are not just natural deposits; they are a pathway to industrial transformation for Africa,” Tinubu said.

He called for transparent and accountable governance of extraction processes and for policies that enable value addition at the source, ensuring that communities hosting these resources share in the resulting progress.

Highlighting the importance of decent work in advancing equitable growth, Tinubu emphasised that the green and digital transitions must remain people-centered.

Through Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the country is equipping youth with skills in digital literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurship to prepare them for future economic opportunities.

Tinubu also urged deliberate partnerships among developed and developing nations, between public and private sectors, and across innovation and inclusion.

He said that G20 nations must address systemic biases, promote multilateral dialogue, and ensure that AI and other technological advancements benefit all, not just a privileged few.

Regarding debt sustainability, the President warned that rising national debts continue to hinder Africa’s development, turning local economic struggles into global vulnerabilities.

He called for urgent G20 action to ensure responsible resource management, equitable financial systems, and inclusive policies that prioritize sustainable growth for nations in the Global South.

“Progress is measured not only by economic growth but by the dignity it affords every human being,” Tinubu concluded.

“For Africa to achieve meaningful development, the G20 must act collectively and decisively to create a fair, inclusive, and future-ready global economy.”