Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, set a dynamic tone for her tenure as Commonwealth Secretary-General with a bold, trade-focused vision during her first external address at the 2025 Commonwealth Trade & Investment Summit at Mansion House in the City of London.
Speaking to an audience of ministers, business leaders, and international delegates, she described trade and investment as central to the Commonwealth’s future, positioning the organisation as a beacon of unity and resilience in a time of global uncertainty.
“In a time of fragmentation, we offer connection. Amid uncertainty, we offer trust. When others raise barriers, we build bridges,” she declared, responding to recent sweeping tariffs that have unsettled global markets, some directly affecting Commonwealth nations.
Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey’s address, themed “A Commonwealth That Delivers: Trade, Transformation and Shared Prosperity,” laid out a clear strategy centered on inclusion, innovation, and investment.
“Trade must be inclusive, innovative, and investable. From small island states to landlocked countries, every member must see the value of Commonwealth cooperation in their daily lives,” she told delegates.
She introduced a new “work programme” that would drive the Commonwealth’s trade agenda forward, with major milestones ahead, including the Commonwealth Business Summit in Namibia this June and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua & Barbuda in 2026.
The Secretary-General emphasized digital transformation, blended finance, and support for SMEs, particularly women and youth entrepreneurs, as key areas of focus.
“We intend to tackle trade barriers, strengthen digital inclusion, support small businesses, and open investment opportunities in key sectors — from infrastructure and agriculture to energy transition and e-commerce,” she said.
The audience, which included the Lord Mayor of London, Lord Marland, and His Excellency Dr. Hussain Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, welcomed her proactive tone.
In a show of confidence, Hon Ayorkor Botchwey told delegates: “No other organisation combines what we do — the shared values, the global reach, the deep trust. The only barrier to success is the fear of thinking big.”
She issued a rallying call: “This is our moment. Let us seize it — together.”
The Summit, widely regarded as a landmark gathering for trade and investment across the 56-member Commonwealth, marks a new chapter for the organisation under Botchwey’s stewardship, one where economic transformation is placed firmly at the heart of its agenda.
