Policy House, a prominent economic research and advisory organization, has called on African delegates attending the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to push for a concrete and actionable economic roadmap, as global trade tensions intensify.
The meetings, scheduled to take place from April 21 to 26 in Washington, D.C., are expected to bring together over 10,000 participants, including policymakers, development finance professionals, and civil society representatives.
The call comes amid growing economic uncertainty following U.S. President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping tariffs—starting at 10 percent—on all imports to the United States. While the move is aimed at revitalizing domestic manufacturing, it has impacted over 50 countries, including key African economies, as well as China, the UK, and Canada. Although some nations received temporary relief on April 9, China’s tariffs were raised further, climbing from 104 percent to 125 percent.
In a statement released Friday, Taiwo Akerele, Executive Director of Policy House, urged African leaders to approach the meetings with a clear agenda and the determination to influence global economic decisions.
“This is not a routine summit,” Akerele stated. “It’s a pivotal moment to leverage global volatility and reshape Africa’s economic future.”
He emphasized three areas where Africa must engage with urgency: expanding trade capacity, attracting global capital, and investing in transformative infrastructure.
“With trade routes shifting, we must ask: how can Africa boost its share of the global economy, which currently averages a mere 3 percent?” Akerele asked. “We need more than incremental progress—this is about redefining our place in the global economy.”
Addressing capital flows, Akerele highlighted the potential return of investment from Asia and urged African nations to be strategic in attracting and deploying these funds for sustainable development.
“We’ve secured the capital,” he noted. “Now we must channel it into impactful projects, using platforms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive regional integration and long-term growth.”
He concluded by urging African leaders to go beyond participation and actively shape the economic narrative at the meetings.
“The time for vague aspirations is over. Africa needs concrete strategies and decisive action to secure its economic future,” he said.