On 16 July 2021, former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, was honoured with a statue of himself at the AfCFTA headquarters in Accra. The event was attended by several African heads of state, including current Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, as well as prominent figures from across the continent.
The recognition was bestowed upon Issoufou Mahamadou for his dedication to making the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) operational from 01 January 2021, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Wamkele Mene, Executive Secretary of AfCFTA, commended the former president, saying, "His Excellency Issoufou Mahamadou has made extraordinary efforts to guide and oversee the establishment and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area." Mene noted that the statue serves as a lasting tribute to Mahamadou’s pivotal role, symbolizing inspiration for both current and future generations of Africans.
In his acceptance speech, Issoufou Mahamadou dedicated the honour to the people of Niger and generations of pan-Africanists, reiterating the AfCFTA’s aims of ending the continent’s fragmentation, increasing intra-African trade, and unlocking economic potential. He urged African leaders to prioritize swift reforms that would advance intra-African trade and foster economic growth.
The statue also celebrates Mahamadou's longstanding commitment to pan-African ideals throughout his tenure. His proactive approach to industrializing African economies earned him the title of “Champion of Africa’s industrialisation” from UNIDO, ECA, and Afreximbank in November 2020.
Crafted as part of the Afreximbank art programme that supports and promotes contemporary African art, the statue is a creation of Zimbabwean artist Tafadzwa Tandi. The piece is made from black serpentine stone and reflects an ancient tradition of stone sculpture from the Great Zimbabwe era.
(Agence Ecofin)