Peter Obi says Africa can feed the world with good leadership
Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, stated on July 12, 2026 via his verified X account that Africa, with its vast mineral resources and over 1.5 billion people, could feed the entire world if governed by good leaders. He spoke at the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York on the topic 'The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development across Africa'. Obi noted that despite Africa's riches, nearly 60% of the world's 800 million extremely poor people—about 480 million—live on the continent, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo among the most affected. He highlighted Africa's second-largest landmass of over 30 million square kilometres and nearly one billion hectares of arable land, 60% of which remains uncultivated, arguing that combining demographic advantage with arable land could make Africa the food capital of the world. The statement underscores the link between governance, resource management, and poverty reduction, suggesting that improved leadership could unlock agricultural potential and reduce extreme poverty across the region. For readers, this raises the question: what specific governance reforms or investments in agriculture could unlock Africa's agricultural potential, and how might ordinary citizens support or advocate for such changes in their communities?