By: Josef Kefas Sheehama
President Donald Trump’s executive orders serve as a wake-up call for African leaders, demanding that they put public service and economic development ahead of foreign aid and begging. The time has come for them to learn from these directives. Every sovereign country should put in place an inclusive and equitable system.
Trumponomics and the double-edged sword
Trump must be credible and relevant in his actions against world leaders. America has indeed been feeding African nations for a long time even though they have rich mineral resources.
But they have neglected to prioritise crucial factors that would lessen their reliance on aid and help them become economically independent. America wants to care for its citizens, and our African leaders need to care for our citizens and advance development.
It is also true that some executive orders, like those about immigration and brain drain, have an economic impact.
The US’s greatest concern is more developing countries searching for alternatives to the greenback.
Emerging nations are discouraged from joining the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to de-dollarise and change the global financial and monetary system.
President Trump takes advantage of the fact that African nations are subjects of foreign aid and threatens to impose 100% tariffs on developing nations that abandon the US dollar as a global currency.
These significant changes to US policy are meant to ensure that developing nations stay faithful to them.
Restoring Africa’s greatness: cutting aid dependency
The relationship between foreign aid and debt has greatly impacted Africa’s economic trajectory, and both factors have had a significant impact on the continent’s development prospects.
To address infrastructure deficiencies, humanitarian crises, and development gaps, foreign aid has been an essential lifeline for many African countries.
It is regrettable to state that the African Union (AU) failed Africa because it did not fulfil its role completely, even though it was meant to have a strong voice on the global scene.
Without a doubt, the establishment of the African Union signalled a significant advancement in the protracted process of African integration, both politically and economically.
Africa can easily overcome many of its collective political and economic challenges on its own by integrating regionally into groups like the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the East African Community (EAC).
Africa should create the conditions that will boost local economies, attract foreign investment, encourage the growth and competitiveness of the private sector, and deepen regional integration.
To address Africa’s issues, African leaders must reorganise and establish the United States of Africa. Developed nations will only respect Africa in this manner.
Promoting Africa as a continent capable of handling its own affairs rather than one that requires handouts and avoiding the mindset that developed nations are our masters.
The idea that all African leaders aspire to be President will not benefit Africa, and as a result, Western nations will take advantage of this to undermine peace and stability and promote war so Africans kill themselves.
The first step toward achieving economic and trade self-sufficiency is the African Union (AU) playing a role in promoting political and economic commitment. Regaining economic sovereignty requires a change from consumption to production.
African values should be reflected in political and economic structures rather than foreign ideologies.
Africans can reclaim their destiny and forge a new course for development by rediscovering the principles that have long supported their continent.
Additionally, this can quickly establish a single currency, which is crucial for Africa. One should view African integration as a long-term step toward securing peaceful and balanced development and improving international cooperation, the framework for harmonising continental monetary policy, which will result in a single currency.
Namibia must become economically self-sufficient and stop relying on aid
We cannot continue in the same manner, believing that aid is free. We should be able to adjust to a post-aid economy when the aid faucet is shut off one day.
Instead of wailing and pleading, Namibia should find solutions to the urgent problems of health, climate change, and economic development in a world that is changing quickly as the United States turns inward. Therefore, the Namibian government must seize this opportunity to expand policies that promote the development of an environment that facilitates prosperity through tangible priorities like economic engagement, regional integration, and job creation.
In order to sustain development and promote long-term prosperity for the entire region, Namibia should work to strengthen regional integration initiatives.
A major factor in quickening economic growth will be expanding intra-African trade, which will boost local company development, productivity, and industry competition.
Namibia must prioritise public service and impose severe sentences on those who commit corruption, which will devastate the country’s economy and exacerbate inequality.
For our government to raise the funds required to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and job creation, Namibians must fully own our natural resources.
The way forward calls for fearless leadership, a dedication to justice, and an emphasis on independence. By utilising its abundant resources, promoting sound governance, and eliminating corruption, Namibia can move toward a time when receiving foreign aid is a choice rather than a necessity.
In conclusion, for the benefit of our powerful continent, we Africans must reform foreign aid with unity in mind and spirit. The African Continental Free Trade Area must be strengthened by these reforms.
Therefore, making investments in industries that support economic growth, job creation, and self-sufficiency, the emphasis should be on promoting sustainable development.
This entails empowering local communities and lending support to initiatives that promote long-term development and the eradication of poverty in Africa.
Josef Kefas Sheehama is an economic analyst and researcher. The views expressed herein are his own.
