Africa richest continent, can feed entire world if governed by good leaders – Peter Obi

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, says with its rich mineral resources, Africa can feed the entire world if governed by good leaders.

Obi said this in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday.

His remark stems from the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, where he spoke on ‘The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development across Africa’.

He lamented that despite the enormous potential, Africa remains home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people.

According to him, of the approximately 800 million people living in extreme poverty globally, nearly 60% are in Africa, noting that it is about 480 million people, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the countries most affected.

The former Anambra State governor added that nearly one in every three Africans lives in extreme poverty, decrying that in multidimensional poverty, Africa continues to bear the greatest burden.

“Africa is a continent of immense riches. Indeed, it is the richest continent in the world, not only because of its vast mineral resources but also because of its greatest asset, its people.

“It is the second largest continent by landmass, after Asia, covering more than 30 million square kilometres. It is also the second most populous continent, with over 1.5 billion people.

“When this demographic advantage is combined with nearly one billion hectares of arable land, about 60% of which remains uncultivated, it becomes clear that Africa possesses everything required not only to feed itself but also to become the food capital of the world,” he wrote.