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Opinion: Community Economic Decentralisation through Sustainable Development Projects

Jeronimo Kateya

Khanna (2020) observes that global power dynamics are shifting, with nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America gaining influence and challenging Western dominance.

This tendency represents the growth of a multipolar world in which power is distributed across various regions and aspects, including economic, political, technological, sociological, cultural, and demographic.

This critical thinking has been the vision of African leaders, intellectuals, and Pan-Africanists such as Kwame Nkrumah, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, PLO Lumumba and many others.

In their arguments, they have emphasised the importance of unity, self-reliance and innovation in addressing global challenges (Nkrumah, 1963; Okonjo-Iweala, 2021; Lumumba, 2020; OpenAI, 2024).

Africa sees this transformation as both a challenge and an incredible chance to develop and define its place in the new global order. The Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust’s concept of Earthdam-Aquaculture-Cash-Crop Irrigation Farming is a novel, context-specific answer to this altering paradigm.

Using this comprehensive strategy, we can empower women and youth, promote economic self-sufficiency and position Africa as a global leader in sustainable and inclusive development.

This piece investigates how this program addresses the challenges and opportunities connected with the growing multipolar world and how it can fuel Africa’s rise to the global stage.

 

 

The Context of Shifting Global Power

The rise of states in the Global South as new centers of power is fueled by a variety of reasons.

Economically, the rise of sectors, digital economies, artificial intelligence and infrastructure investments are altering the global marketplace (Smith, 2023). Politically, these regions raise their voices in international forums, demanding equity and participation in global governance frameworks (Doe, 2023).

Africa’s young population in terms of development places the continent as a potential global powerhouse, assuming it can successfully channel its people capital.

However, these developments come with risks. Economic disparity, climatic change, political instability, and underutilisation of human potential all threaten to stifle progress.

Brown, 2023; Lee, 2023 argue that to address these challenges, innovative solutions must be developed that strike a balance between sustainability and growth, inclusivity and competitiveness and local demands and global objectives.

 

Earth dam-Aquaculture-Cash-Crop Irrigation Farming: A Vision for Empowerment and Sustainability

Since the Trust turned twelve years of existence (2012-2024), Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust has reflected on its strategic objective.

The OODT’s strategy is based on the concept of Earthdam- Aquaculture-Cash-Crop Irrigation Farming. This concept combines sustainable water resource management, aquaculture, and agricultural innovation to build a more resilient and inclusive local economy.

It is specifically suited to the African context, incorporating the continent’s natural resources, cultural legacy and community-oriented principles.

 

Building Resilience Through Earth Dams

Water scarcity is still one of Africa’s most critical issues, compounded by climate change (UNEP, 2022).

Earth dams, which harvest rainwater for agriculture, offer a long-term solution to the problem. By building earth dams, the Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust can ensure sufficient year-round water availability, allowing communities to withstand droughts and preserve productivity.

Earth dams help reduce the hazards linked with climate-induced displacement, and food shortages and boost local resilience.

In a multipolar world where climate action is becoming increasingly important in global power dynamics, demonstrating innovative water management solutions places Africa as a leader in sustainable development (Moyo, 2020).

 

Unlocking Economic Potential Through Aquaculture

Aquaculture, often known as fish farming, is a profitable and long-term economic growth opportunity.

The integration of aquaculture and earth dams increases resource efficiency, resulting in a synergistic system in which fish farming benefits from stored water while enriching the water with nutrients for agricultural irrigation.

The effort of Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust targets community development, unemployment, poverty and gender inequality by focusing on high-value fish species (catfish and tilapia) and providing

aquaculture and other various topical project training to women and youth for capacity development since the reality of poverty is the poverty of mind (Achebe, 1983).

Empowering women and youth with skills and economic opportunities not only transform local communities but also positions them to contribute to global food security, which is becoming increasingly important in the multipolar era.

 

Driving Innovation Through Cash-Crop Irrigation Farming

Cash-crop irrigation farming uses the water stored in earth dams and boreholes to grow high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

These commodities serve both local and international markets, resulting in a distinct African brand that shows the continent’s agricultural potential.

Furthermore, exporting these products to global markets supports the shift to multipolarity by expanding Africa’s economic partnerships and reducing reliance on traditional Western markets.

Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainable techniques assures that Africa’s agricultural growth does not deplete its natural resources.

 

Empowering Women and Youth: A Catalyst for Global Leadership

Women and youth in Africa offer untapped potential. Previously neglected in decision-making processes, they are increasingly emerging as critical drivers of innovation and societal change (Adichie, 2021).

The Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust’s project prioritizes women and youth as agents of transformation.

 

Economic Inclusion and Gender Equality

By integrating women in aquaculture and cash crop farming, the initiative removes systemic impediments to gender inequality.

Financial independence enables women to invest in education, healthcare, and community development, resulting in a transformative and positive change.

In the global context, this reinforces Africa’s position as a pioneer in inclusive growth and sustainable development.

 

Harnessing Youthful Energy and Innovation

Africa’s youth population represents a demographic dividend that can be used to propel economic and social development (African Development Bank, 2022).

Training young people in aquaculture, irrigation farming and business guarantees that they become active contributors to local economies. This, in return, establishes Africa as a dynamic and innovative actor on the world stage.

 

Risks and Opportunities in a Multipolar World

As global power shifts, Africa must balance benefits and challenges. On the one hand, the emergence of new economic hubs provides diversified markets, investment opportunities, and collaborations.

Geopolitical difficulties, trade dependencies, and technology gaps, on the other hand, provide considerable challenges.

The Earthdam-Aquaculture-Cash-Crop paradigm reduces these risks by promoting local self-sufficiency while connecting to global networks.

Africa can lessen its vulnerability to external shocks by developing resilient communities. Africa can gain worldwide attention and investment while also branding its distinctive products and demonstrating sustainable practices.

 

Positioning Africa on the Global Stage

To become a global force, Africa must take a proactive and deliberate approach. The Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust’s effort is an example of this:

 

  1. Promoting Sustainable Development: Adhering to global climate targets and demonstrating innovative solutions to common concerns.
  2. Leveraging Cultural Identity: Highlighting Africa’s distinct products and traditions to gain a competitive advantage in global markets.
  3. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with countries in Asia, Latin America, and beyond to form a multipolar coalition that promotes equitable development.

 

 

As I reflect on this essay, the transition to a multipolar world is a watershed moment for Africa. It is an opportunity to reshape its narrative, leverage its resources, and assert its status as a global force.

The Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust’s Earthdam-Aquaculture-Cash-Crop Irrigation Farming initiative exemplifies this concept by tackling basic fundamental concerns while creating transformative opportunities.

In the end, by empowering women and youth, Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust promotes sustainable practices and develops an internationally competitive brand.

This conceptual project once actualised not only benefits local communities but also contributes to Africa’s rise on the world stage.

In a world where power is increasingly defined by inclusivity, creativity, and resilience, Africa’s future as a sustainable development leader is not simply a possibility; it is an unavoidable reality.

 

Jeronimo is the Chief Administrative Officer for Oupale-Okalongo Development Trust in Oupale Village, Okalongo Constituency, Omusati Region. The views expressed herein are his own.

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