Africa, the world’s second-largest continent by both land area and population, is a vibrant tapestry of diverse cultures, economies, and histories. Its potential is enormous, yet it has often been stunted by a problematic dynamic with the Western world.
For decades, African countries have been recipients of financial aid, loans, and various forms of assistance from Western powers. While this support may appear beneficial on the surface, it has only managed to perpetuate a cycle of dependency, stifle self-sufficiency, and sometimes even exacerbate corruption and inequality. It is time for African leaders to reconsider this handout culture and chart a new trajectory for the continent’s development.
To begin with, it is vital to acknowledge the historical context. Post-colonial Africa has had to grapple with the complex legacy of Western imperialism, which has influenced its political, economic, and social fabric. The handouts from the West are, more often than not, a continuation of this historical relationship—not necessarily benevolent, but rather a tool for maintaining influence and control.
African countries have been recipients of foreign assistance since their independence. It is undeniable that some of this assistance has come in the form of development assistance programs. These efforts, truthfully, have shown lasting results in programs that stimulate local economies and reduce aid dependency (such as sustainable agriculture, youth entrepreneurship, and improved access to power). However, these successes, which have been characterised by the provision of foreign assistance, have only managed to develop a culture of dependency in Africa and foster paternalism—as opposed to partnership— in Africa’s engagement with the world.
These handouts, which usually come in the form of aid, loans and grants, often come with stringent conditions, which sometimes have the power to hinder local growth. These ‘benevolent’ Western nations usually tend to dictate policy directions, often favouring the interests of the donors over the needs of the recipients. This neocolonial dynamic clearly hampers genuine, locally-driven development, reinforcing a cycle of dependence, that has now forced African nations to become lazy countries that are completely reliant on external support at the expense of developing their internal capacities.
Read Also: Africa Needs Technocrats In Politics Not Career Politicians
A critical look at this system will reveal that these handouts have the capacity to exacerbate corruption and mismanagement. As funds flow into the coffers of governments, in highly corrupt countries like Nigeria, they can become concentrated in the hands of a privileged few politicians who only care about how to loot the country to death, which fosters corruption and perpetuates inequality in the long run. This not only hampers development but also erodes public trust in leadership.
However, calling on Africans to push themselves out of that rabbit hole is not a call for isolation or rejection of global cooperation. Rather, it is a call for a shift in the dynamics of international relations and aid. Going forward, African countries will need to take the driver’s seat in their development and negotiate partnerships based on equality, mutual respect, and shared benefit, not a beggarly disposition.
To get things right, African leaders must become very determined to prioritise building strong, accountable institutions that can manage resources effectively and transparently. They should and must invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which are key to any nation’s development. They also need to foster an environment conducive to local and foreign investment, encourage entrepreneurship and create jobs for their rapidly growing young populations.
It is no longer news to many that Africa has the youngest population in the world at the moment. With 200 million people aged between 15 and 24 (doubling by 2045, according to the African Development Bank). Given that the continent will have a shortfall of 74 million jobs that need to be created by 2020, governments need to create policies and implementation plans that will allow for a more competitive private sector that favours business growth, job creation, and the stimulation of African economies—such as sound fiscal and monetary policies; good governance, transparency, and judicial reforms; an improved investment climate, and reduced corruption.
Again, in moving away from a reliance on Western assistance, African governments must begin to improve regional integration initiatives, which are key to sustaining development and encouraging long-term prosperity for the entire region. Increasing intra-African trade will be a key component to accelerating economic growth, as it will increase industry competition, improve productivity, and develop local infrastructure.
African nations must force the world to come to terms with the fact that times have changed. Despite all its challenges, Africa’s global stature is today at its most attractive in modern history, and its current crop of leaders must drive a hard financial bargain with the West, which prefers to give them aid. They must gain mastery of how to extract maximum value for the continent through their negotiations and discussions with the world.
Again, there is a need to leverage Africa’s rich resources intelligently. Africa is home to a wealth of natural resources, including precious minerals, fertile lands, and a vast, youthful workforce. The present crop of African leaders must understand that harnessing these resources effectively and sustainably can provide a significant boost to the continent’s economies, reducing the need for external aid. Indeed, this is the way to go.
Going forward, Africans must learn to identify priorities, define and implement them, and extract maximum value for themselves. They must learn to stop being reactionary to the politics of the West and, if possible, proactively engage them.
In conclusion, it is time for African leaders to shift from being recipients of Western handouts to becoming equal partners in the global struggle for dominance. This requires a focus on domestic capacity building, transparent governance, strategic utilisation of resources, and the cultivation of mutually beneficial international partnerships. Only then can Africa realize its full potential and break free from the cycle of dependency that has hindered its progress for far too long. The current crop of African leaders must be pressured by their citizens to stop going to the West with caps in hand to beg for aid and other forms of help. If they find ways of making and spending Africa’s money inside the continent, Africa will not need to ask for respect from anyone, rather, Africans will get the respect they deserve from the West.
