Margaret Kyerematen-Debrah, Co-Founder of EATO and Managing Director of Vertex Capital Africa, has sounded a cautionary note about the economic implications of recent U.S. rhetoric towards Nigeria.
In a post published earlier today, Kyerematen-Debrah responded to remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly instructed his so-called “Department of War” to prepare for military intervention in Nigeria—citing the killing of Christians and vowing to “completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists” if the Nigerian government fails to act.
Kyerematen-Debrah characterised the remarks as “not just a passing remark — it is a destabilising signal.” She emphasised that because Nigeria is Africa’s fourth-largest economy, any credible threat of foreign military action could undermine investor confidence, unsettle regional markets, and amplify fragility across West Africa.
She noted that while Nigeria is navigating difficult structural reforms—including removal of fuel subsidies, liberalisation of parts of the foreign-exchange market and increased fiscal discipline—its recovery remains fragile. She cited recent data showing inflation above 20 percent and real-GDP growth projected at about 3.4 percent in 2025, with a medium-term trajectory of around 3½ percent.
“Economic growth and peace are inseparable,” she wrote, urging the Nigerian government to respond decisively and “assert Nigeria’s sovereignty with clarity and strength.” She warned that silence or hesitancy now could invite further encroachment and weaken domestic and external confidence.
Kyerematen-Debrah also called on other African nations to stand with Nigeria, arguing that an attack on one African state under moral or religious pretexts would set a dangerous precedent for the entire continent. According to her, such a scenario would undermine the continent’s collective capacity to negotiate and trade on equal terms with global powers.
