Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has called for greater trade, investment and economic cooperation among 56 member countries, urging governments and businesses to turn the organisation’s unique commercial advantages into tangible growth, jobs and prosperity.
Delivering a keynote address at Invest Lagos 3.0, organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Botchwey said the Commonwealth was uniquely positioned to help member countries navigate a rapidly changing global economy.
“The global economy is not just experiencing a passing period of turbulence. It is going through a structural shift,” she said.
“At a time when parts of the world are turning inward, the Commonwealth must turn towards one another with greater purpose.”
The Secretary-General highlighted the Commonwealth’s shared language, legal traditions, institutions and business practices as powerful assets that continue to lower barriers to trade and investment among its 56 member countries.
“These connections are commercial assets. They reduce friction. They build trust. They lower risk. They make it easier for businesses to trade, invest and grow across borders.”
She noted that trade between Commonwealth countries is conducted at an average cost around 21 per cent lower than between comparable non-Commonwealth trading partners.
“That is the Commonwealth Advantage: trade between Commonwealth countries being on average, around 21 per cent cheaper.”
“But advantage, by itself, is not enough. An advantage unused is only a statistic.”
“Our task is to turn that advantage into jobs, investment, supply chains, infrastructure, innovation and growth that people can feel in their daily lives.”
The Secretary-General also called for greater investment in infrastructure, digital connectivity, entrepreneurship and skills development, particularly for young people and small businesses.
“We need execution. We need scale. We need confidence. We need partnerships that deliver.”
Looking ahead, she said the Commonwealth must create the conditions for long-term investment and stronger economic integration across member states.
“The Commonwealth has the network. Now we must bring them together.”
These priorities will continue to shape discussions at the Commonwealth Business Forum 2026, which will be organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth Secretariat from 2–4 November 2026 alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Forum will convene Heads of Government, ministers, investors and business leaders from across the Commonwealth and beyond to advance trade, investment and commercial partnerships.
