He said this in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates on Monday during a meeting with the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.
The two leaders are in Abu Dhabi to attend the Sustainability Week held between January 12 and 18.
Tinubu is expected to use the summit to stress his administration’s reforms, including those related to energy sufficiency, transportation, public health and economic development.
In a post on his official X handle, @officialABAT, the president wrote, “This evening, on the eve of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, I had meaningful conversations with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
“Africa has what it takes to develop itself. We have the resources, the people, and the capacity. We must look inward to improve intra-African trade and collaboration to benefit the African people and the continent. The time for Africa is now.”
Earlier, the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, had invited Tinubu to attend the summit.
At the request of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tinubu landed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Dada Olusegun, the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, posted on his X page to announce Tinubu’s arrival.
“Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates, welcomes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi,” Olusegun stated.
The summit, which will take place in Abu Dhabi from January 12 to 18, has as its theme “The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress.” Leaders from around the world will gather at the event to promote socioeconomic advancement and sustainable development.
The president is anticipated to give a speech in Abu Dhabi outlining the major reforms of his government, with a focus on public health, energy efficiency, transportation, and economic development.
In order to improve bilateral ties and look into potential diplomatic and commercial alliances, Tinubu and his delegation are anticipated to speak with UAE leadership during the visit.
The event intends to provide a venue for representatives of civil society, business executives, and policymakers to exchange ideas on how to promote global prosperity while making the shift to a sustainable economy.
The president was accompanied by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, and Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs.