Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo is calling on African nations to invest at least 30% of their sovereign reserves in continental financial institutions such as Afreximbank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Speaking at the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Nigeria, Akufo-Addo stressed that this move would strengthen Africa’s financial independence and help bridge the continent’s infrastructure gap.

He criticised the widespread practice of parking reserves in foreign banks while domestic development suffers, urging bold steps toward operationalising institutions like the African Central Bank.

Highlighting Afreximbank’s recent $750 million package to Ghana, he said Africa-owned financial institutions are key to economic sovereignty and sustainable growth.