By Kenneth Oboh

At The Africa Blue Print 2025 summit held on 27 November 2025 at the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Abuja, business leaders, innovators and policymakers gathered to explore practical strategies for driving sustainable economic growth across the continent.

Speaking during a high level panel session hosted by the Africa CEO Club, Amb Dr Tseghomi “ShoJay” Oteri emphasised that African businesses must transition from isolated achievements to interconnected development frameworks.

“In his contribution to the high level panel session, Dr Oteri explained that African businesses and enterprises must move beyond building and accomplishing in silos to building collective systems that allow businesses to grow together.” stressing that meaningful collaboration should deliver measurable outcomes rather than end at dialogue.

According to him, true value exchange relies on strategic alignment where partners contribute not only ideas but capabilities, influence and resources to drive collective progress. He noted that true collaboration must include structured accountability to ensure that every partner’s contribution leads to measurable advancement across the value chain, strengthening collective progress further.

While acknowledging innovation as an important catalyst, he stated that transformation is only sustainable when supported by responsible leadership and consistent performance. “When we design systems where value flows freely and strengths are amplified, we unlock scalable impact that benefits everyone,” he noted, reinforcing the need for long term thinking across industries.

He further explained that collaborative initiatives must focus on solving real problems and strengthening competitiveness instead of pursuing short term recognition. By applying clear growth indicators, organisations can measure progress effectively and ensure that partnerships produce tangible results. “Shared initiatives must prioritise solving real problems and strengthening competitiveness,” he advised.

Dr Oteri highlighted the role of evidence based reporting in attracting stronger partnerships and enabling wider engagement. He added that collaborative models should include avenues for talent development and innovation exchange, allowing businesses to leverage both emerging capabilities and established expertise.

He concluded that Africa’s path to transformation depends on unity, clarity and consistency. Companies committed to building purposeful and sustainable partnerships, he explained, are best positioned to lead continental growth. Reinforced by discussions at the summit, his message underscored that Africa’s next competitive edge lies in how effectively it collaborates, executes and scales value across industries.