Policy House to African leaders: Demand clear economic path at IMF/World Bank meetings

Policy House, an economic research and policy advisory firm, has asked African delegates attending the 2025 spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to push for a “clear and actionable roadmap” amid the escalating global tariff war.

Over 10,000 policymakers, development finance experts, and civil society leaders will attend the meetings, which will be held in Washington, D.C., between April 21 and 26.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs of at least 10 percent on all goods into the country.

Trump said the tariffs would create a hard reset on the US manufacturing industry, leading to a stronger economy and lower prices for consumers.

Nigeria and several African nations are among the over 50 countries across the world, including China, the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada, hit by the tariffs, which range from 10 percent to as high as 49 percent.

On April 9, Trump paused the tariffs for several countries but raised China’s tariff rates from 104 percent to 125 percent.

In a statement on Friday, Taiwo Akerele, executive director (ED) of Policy House, said Africa should come to the meeting prepared to influence decisions — not merely serve as bystanders.

Akerele said the current global economic climate presents a rare opportunity for the continent to rethink its strategy and reset its economic trajectory.

“This is not just another gathering. This is a moment to seize opportunities amidst global uncertainty and chart a course for Africa’s sustained economic advancement,” he said.

The ED said there are three key areas where African leaders must engage with clear intent.

“With global trade routes potentially shifting, how do we, as a continent, aggressively expand our trading capabilities and significantly increase our contribution to the global economy beyond the current paltry 3% annual average?” he asked.

“This isn’t about small gains; it’s about a fundamental shift in our global economic standing.”

Akerele also spoke about capital movement in the face of economic realignments, urging African countries to be proactive.

“As capital potentially returns from the East, how do African nations position themselves to strategically attract and effectively utilise these inflows for sustainable development? This is a golden opportunity we cannot afford to squander,” he said.

“We have secured the money. The question now is, how do we deploy it into transformative infrastructure projects, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to ensure maximum impact and regional integration? This is about building the foundations for long-term prosperity.”

The ED said African delegates should not “just participate” but shape the global economic discourse and secure tangible outcomes for the continent.

Akerele added that the continent needs concrete strategies, “not just wishful thinking,” adding that the time for decisive action is now.