From Dependency to Leadership: Why Africa’s Future Requires a Global Mindset Shift

Dr. Chihombori Quao's speech at the recent Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture is a powerful yet humbling reminder of the depth, strength, and wisdom that emanate from this great continent. Her words are more than just a call to reflect—they embrace our hearts and uplift our souls, compelling us to act because they resonate with profound truth. As elders, myself included, it is our duty to uplift the voices of Africa's youth, to support their vision, and to fulfill our responsibility by passing the baton to them. Inspired by this truth, we are moved to take meaningful action that uplifts the next generation to lead with strength, wisdom, and authenticity. They are the rising leaders of today and will lead tomorrow, and it is through their vision and energy that Africa will continue to rise and lead. We must stand by them, and step back when they choose to lead.

Ms. Quao is calling upon current leadership to listen to and uplift youth to claim their narrative and identity, free from the shadows of colonialism and entrenched feelings of inferiority. The time for superficial aid, impact ‘investment,’ and paternalism is over. Instead, the global community and Africa must stand as equals, recognizing Africa’s rightful place not only in shaping its destiny but in leading the world with a mindset grounded in transparency, equity, and the principle of the “Oneness of Humankind.” This vision demands genuine collaboration and mutual respect, understanding that without Africa's leadership at the forefront, we cannot ever hope to achieve a truly just and unified global community. The urgency of this moment compels us to act decisively, knowing that the path to a fair and interconnected world hinges on embracing Africa's role in shaping our collective future. This future we envision is one that provides a foundation for an ever-advancing civilization, rooted in equity, unity in diversity, and shared generational prosperity across all nations.

It’s crucial that both the GlobalNorth and Africa clear our minds of the fog that blocks the creation of a shared, equitable global vision. Dr. Chihombori Quao speaks powerfully of addressing the 'root' and transforming the 'mind.' This calls for moving beyond the patronizing and condescending attitudes that have long defined interactions with Africa. These attitudes manifest in harmful ways: the entrenched belief that African countries are perpetually dependent on aid rather than capable of self-sufficiency, and the conditionality attached to loans and aid that undermine African sovereignty and priorities. The practice of dictating development agendas from the Global North without genuinely involving African stakeholders epitomizes this mindset, as seen in how Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) most often prioritize projects that align with their own strategic interests rather than the true locally expressed needs of African communities.

The time for these outdated approaches is over. We must instead recognize Africa’s rightful place not only in shaping its own destiny but also in leading global initiatives with a mindset grounded in mutual respect and the principle of the "Oneness Of Humankind". It’s time to dismantle these harmful practices and replace them with genuine collaboration that elevates African leadership, particularly youth and women.

Here are some of the key messages from Dr. Chihombori Quao that give me pause to reflect:

• Reclaiming African Identity: “You must look in the mirror and say, ‘I am beautiful. I am the mother of humanity. I am the father of humanity.’”

➡️ Reflection: We must support Africa in reclaiming its identity and breaking free from the colonial mindset that perpetuates a belief of inferiority.

• Economic Justice and Fairness: “The World Bank must stop giving us frivolous loans. The World Bank must treat Africa fairly.”

➡️ Reflection: It’s time to challenge the deeply entrenched biases and and harmful attitudes of Multi-lateral development institutions, Private Sector and Financial institutions, NGO's and philanthropic organizations, Bi-lateral aid agencies and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives by Private Companies. The World Bank Group IFC - International Finance Corporation African Development Bank Group International Monetary Fund UNDP AGRA World Food Programme Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Oxfam Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Save the Children International USAID Investisseurs & Partenaires - I&P Agence Française de Développement Mastercard Foundation Dangote Industries Limited Orange Vodafone Foundation

• Challenging the Status Quo: “Why do you report lies about Africa? Why do you tell falsehoods? We say it because nobody challenges us.”

➡️ Reflection: We must actively challenge the misrepresentations and stereotypes about Africa that are perpetuated by the Western media, social platforms and vested interests. The message of unity, dignity, and justice that Dr. Chihombori Quao advocates for are not just for Africa—they are for all of us. They demand that we rethink, disrupt and revolutionize how we interact with the continent, not as white saviours or misguided opportunists, but as partners in a shared global future. CNN BBC News The New York Times Reuters Le Monde The Economist AFP The Telegraph DER SPIEGEL Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung El Pais Le Figaro Süddeutsche Zeitung L'Express The UK Times @

• The Role of African Leadership and Youth Upliftment: “Our leadership has failed Africa. It is time for new leadership that understands that imperialism no longer has room in Africa.” “The African youth are awakened. Their eyes are open, and they’re saying, ‘You either stand up and defend what belongs to us, or we will replace you.’”

➡️ Reflection: We must support the rise of a new generation of youthful leaders who genuinely fight for their people's sovereignty and well-being, rejecting the remnants of imperialism that undermine Africa’s progress. This new leadership is rooted in Pan-African unity and the restoration of the "African tree of life", championing the true interests of community, including the reclamation of economic sovereignty, the end of foreign exploitation, and the upliftment of youth as the vanguard of Africa’s future.

This is a clear, unequivocal call to action: support these leaders, embrace Pan-African unity, and work tirelessly to dismantle the structures of imperialism that still haunt the continent. Only by doing so can Africa truly rise, not just as a collection of nations, but as a unified force capable of shaping its destiny and leading the world toward a more just and equitable future. The time to continually pause, engage, reflect, and ACT is now. Africa’s narrative must be told by AFRICANS, and its future must be shaped by the hands of its own people.

I commit to being an ally in this journey. 🌍

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