Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Africa’s trade structure and economic relations with Europe, stressing the urgent need for reforms that prioritize value addition, industrialisation, and climate justice.
Speaking during a high-level engagement at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Kalu expressed concern over the current trading model that leaves Africa economically vulnerable and under-industrialised.
He noted that a staggering 80% of Africa’s exports consist of raw materials, while only 15% of trade occurs within the continent itself—a pattern he described as both unsustainable and detrimental to Africa’s long-term development.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of his working visit to the EU Parliament, where Kalu met with European lawmaker Fabio De Masi—a renowned critic of neoliberal austerity and an advocate for social and economic equity. De Masi represents the Left Group (GUE/NGL – Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left) and is affiliated with Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht – Vernunft und Gerechtigkeit.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu emphasized the urgent need to renegotiate existing Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between Africa and the European Union.
These agreements, he argued, must be redesigned to support Africa’s industrial policy space by integrating components such as value chain localisation, protection of intellectual property rights, and the reduction of non-tariff barriers.
Kalu, who also chairs the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs at the Pan-African Parliament, described the evolving EU-Africa partnership as a timely and transformative platform to advance economic fairness and structural reform.
He urged both regions to move beyond outdated donor-recipient dynamics and build a relationship grounded in justice, equity, and shared prosperity.
“This partnership provides a strategic opportunity to recalibrate our relations through mutual respect, sustainable development, and common values,” Kalu said.
“We must focus on key areas like fair trade, debt cancellation initiatives—including debt-for-development swaps—and improved parliamentary oversight over countries facing debt distress.”
One of the major issues raised by Kalu was the pervasive problem of illicit financial flows (IFFs) from Africa. He revealed that the continent loses over $88 billion annually through IFFs—almost double what it receives in official development assistance.
To combat this, he called for the formation of a joint EU-AU parliamentary working group to address asset recovery, Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) compliance, and transparency obligations within the EU financial system.
Climate justice was another priority area in Kalu’s presentation. He criticised the glaring imbalance in global climate financing, pointing out that despite Africa’s extreme vulnerability to climate change, it receives only 3% of global climate finance.
He called for unconditional climate funding and the establishment of joint EU-AU monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and efficiency in the implementation of climate projects.
“Africa must be recognised not as a passive recipient but as an equal partner in the green transition,” Kalu stressed. “We must prioritise African-led clean energy solutions that are contextually relevant to local communities.”
He further highlighted the potential of solar energy, noting that although Africa holds over 60% of the world’s solar energy potential, it attracts less than 1% of global solar investment.
Kalu urged international investors and the EU to scale up investments in solar infrastructure across the continent, describing the current gap as a “glaring imbalance that must urgently be corrected.”
In alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, he called for the EU’s Green Deal to reflect Africa’s climate priorities—particularly around climate adaptation, renewable energy access, and the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund.
Kalu also linked Africa’s development challenges to the root causes of irregular migration, which he said are often driven by conflict, climate-induced stress, and youth unemployment.
He advocated for localised economic development as the most sustainable solution to migration, arguing that empowering communities through jobs and social infrastructure will reduce the economic push factors forcing Africans to migrate illegally to Europe.
“Localised development is not just about economic empowerment; it is also a long-term strategy for managing migration,” Kalu stated. “Creating decent jobs, especially in emerging sectors such as digital services, renewable energy, and manufacturing, will provide viable alternatives to irregular migration.”
On the policy front, Kalu called for an expansion of legal migration channels such as talent mobility schemes, Erasmus+, digital nomad visas, and intra-company transfers, which he believes would support skills development and knowledge exchange between Africa and Europe.
He concluded by urging European leaders to balance border security measures with their commitment to humanitarian principles, particularly those rooted in the EU’s core values of solidarity, human rights, and dignity for all.
“A holistic approach must be adopted—one that tackles the root causes of migration while expanding safe and legal pathways for mobility,” he said.
“Together, we can build a future where Africa is empowered, prosperous, and treated as an equal partner on the global stage.”