Peter Obi, 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said, “Africa is the richest continent in the world”.
He made the statement on Friday in New York City, United States (US) while delivering his keynote address where he talked about the ‘The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development’.
Obi explained, Africa is the “richest continent” on Planet Earth because it possesses “vast” mineral resources, as well as, its people, which he described as the Continent’s “greatest asset”.
On X, the former Governor of Anambra State said, out of more than “1.5 billion” people in Africa, a whopping over “one billion” are young people, who are “productive”. He added, the Continent is “home to the largest youthful workforce” in the world.
Obi said: “On Friday, July 10, 2026, I had the honour of delivering the keynote address at Mandela Hall, African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, on _The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development across Africa.
“Africa is a continent of immense riches. Indeed, it is the richest continent in the world, not only because of its vast mineral resources but also because of its greatest asset, its people.
“It is the second largest continent by landmass, after Asia, covering more than 30 million square kilometres. It is also the second most populous continent, with over 1.5 billion people.
“Significantly, more than one billion of these are young people in their productive years, making Africa home to the largest youthful workforce in the world.”
The former African Democratic Congress (ADC) member said, with about “60%” of its arable land still “uncultivated”, Africa has all it needs to feed itself and emerge the “food Capital” of the world.
However, he expressed regret that Africa remains that home that harbours the “world’s poorest people”; he said, out of the “approximately 800 million” people who are in “extreme” poverty around the world, a massive “60%” of them are in Africa.
He added, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the most affected of them all.
Obi said: “When this demographic advantage is combined with nearly one billion hectares of arable land, about 60% of which remains uncultivated, it becomes clear that Africa possesses everything required not only to feed itself but also to become the food capital of the world.
“Regrettably, despite this enormous potential, Africa remains home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people. Of the approximately 800 million people living in extreme poverty globally, nearly 60% are in Africa.
“That is about 480 million people, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the countries most affected.”
Obi asked a “simple” question, “why has Africa not been able to lift its people out of poverty?”
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) answered: “It means there is a missing link. That missing link is Competent Leadership with Capacity, Compassion, Character, and Commitment to good governance.”
He said, Africa needs “leadership that will rise to the challenge and drive the continent in the right direction”, adding, “When we get leadership right, everything else begins to change. We start realising our true potential”.
Obi said, the role of Diaspora African is “enormous” in this journey.
He said: “Because you live in societies where institutions largely work, where democracy is strengthened by accountability and where systems function more effectively, you have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help build Africa. It is time to become stronger advocates for good governance.
“Even where you cannot vote, your voices matter. They should be heard both at home and abroad whenever things are going wrong on our continent. Stand firmly for what is right. Speak truth to the leaders who visit you. Let them know where they are getting it wrong. That is what some of us have continued to do.”
He called on Diaspora Africans “to remain actively engaged in shaping the democratic future of our continent. Their voices matter in advancing free, fair and credible elections across Africa. Elections conducted with integrity are the foundation of legitimate governance.”
