MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr, has called on African leaders to seek Africa’s global recognition by claiming its rightful place as architects of the new world order rather than maintaining spectators just as he outlined a strategic vision for the continent centered on unity, economic sovereignty and a demand for respect in global affairs.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., delivered a powerful call to action for African nations to “claim their rightful place” as architects of the new world order, rather than remaining spectators. Speaking at the prestigious MEDays Forum—dubbed “the Davos of the Global South”—in Tangier, Morocco, the Liberian President outlined a strategic vision for the continent centered on unity, economic sovereignty, and a demand for respect in global affairs.
The Liberian leader made this assertion on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 in Tangier, Morocco when he spoke at the prestigious MEDays Forum, dubbed “the Davos of the Global South”. Addressing world leaders and delegates under the theme, “Fractures and Polarization: Re-inventing the Global Equation,” President Boakai passionately confronted the growing risk of Africa being “taken away from Africans” through external decisions and the continued extraction of its natural wealth.
“This year’s theme, “Fractures and Polarization: Re-inventing the Global Equation,” invites us to confront a difficult but unavoidable truth. The world is changing in ways that are deep, unpredictable, and at times unsettling. Old certainties are giving way. New rivalries are emerging. Trust in the global system is eroding. And inequalities between nations and peoples continue to widen.
“The critical question is this. Will Africa remain a spectator while others define the new world order, or will Africa claim its rightful place as a principal author of that future?
History offers a warning. In earlier centuries, Africans were taken away from Africa. Today, through decisions made far from our shores, there is a growing risk that this time Africa may be taken away from Africans. Our natural wealth enriches others more than our own people. Policies that shape our future are sometimes designed without our involvement. Narratives about our continent are too often shaped by voices that do not know our lived experience”, President Boakai said.
President Boakai laid out a four-point agenda for African states to lead with conviction and influence the global equation, asserting that Africa must strengthen its collective voice within global institutions, serving as a “respected pillar of global peace, leadership, and negotiation,” and refusing to be a stage for global rivalry.
He spoke about security as the second pillar and stressed the need for intensified cooperation through strengthened intelligence sharing and regional alliances to combat modern threats like terrorism, cyber-attacks, and organized crime.
On economic governance and the third pillar, the President made his strongest plea for a shift from exporting raw materials to value addition. “We must process our minerals at home,” he insisted, arguing that no nation has developed by exporting raw materials alone and demanding that Africa’s God-given resources must uplift the people of Africa first.
Touching on the four pillar, President Boakai citing the need for a united continent, called for accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and building the essential infrastructure—roads, railways, and digital highways—that will unite the continent into a global force.
Speaking further, President Boakai made it clear that Africa seeks “partnership, not charity,” and “opportunity, not sympathy.” He stressed that Africa “refuses to be spoken for” and demands a seat at the table where decisions shaping its destiny are made.
He specifically outlined expectations for investors committed to Shared Prosperity, urging them to invest in value creation (processing minerals, technology, agriculture), support African ownership (equity, profit sharing, and local participation), uphold strong environmental and governance standards and approach Africa with respect, viewing it as a partner, not a risk.
The President concluded with an inspiring message of self-determination, referencing the African proverb: “Until the lion learns to speak, every story will glorify the hunter.”
“Today, Africa is learning to speak. Africa is shaping its own narrative. Africa is claiming ownership of its place in the world,” President Boakai declared. “Africa is not silent. Africa is speaking. Africa is not waiting. Africa is moving. Africa is not behind. Africa is rising.”