Windhoek: Former Nigerian president and influential African leader Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized that Africa consistently underestimates its economic potential, despite having the capability to mobilize trillions of dollars for development and investment within the continent.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Obasanjo made these remarks following a courtesy visit to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House on Monday. The former Nigerian leader highlighted that Africa holds substantial financial resources that could be leveraged internally to drive economic growth and development.

"We underrate our own capacity. I think that's the first thing I would say. We underrate our own capacity within Africa," Obasanjo told journalists after his meeting with Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Obasanjo estimated that approximately US dollars 4 trillion could be mobilized from sources such as social welfare, sovereign wealth, pension, and health insurance funds across the continent. "Four trillion American dollars. That is the money that we can mobilize within Africa," he said.

He pointed out that Africa remains one of the most attractive destinations for investors seeking strong returns, provided governments establish an enabling environment for investment. "Africa is still the place where you can get the highest return on investment. And if you are in business, you want the highest return on your investment," he stated.

Obasanjo stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for investment. "The only thing that we have to make sure is that we create a conducive environment for money to come into Africa. Money is out there. Let's create a conducive environment for the money to come and to invest and to stay."

He noted that his visit was a follow-up to discussions he held with President Nandi-Ndaitwah during a previous visit to Namibia three months ago, which focused primarily on investment opportunities. Obasanjo explained that his return was to provide feedback to the Namibian head of state on issues discussed during the earlier engagement.

"So I have come to give the president a sort of progress report on what we discussed last time, which is mainly on investment and then where do we go from here now," he said. "I reported based on our last discussion. Now, where do we go or what do we do on that? And then where do we go from here? So I will come back again," the elder statesman added.