Nairobi, Kenya- A critical dialogue exploded today, revealing the stark reality of dwindling foreign aid and igniting a movement. In a powerful, unfiltered yet timely dialogue held in Nairobi, top African development experts declared an inevitable end of dependency on shrinking foreign aid. With USAID pulling back and billions in donor funds disappearing, leaders are sounding the alarm and taking action to drive the course of development.
“Africa’s development journey is our collective responsibility,” said William Asiko, the Vice President of the Rockefeller Foundation Africa, during the opening session.
Asiko insisted that “Africa is home,” and “Africans have the responsibility of steering the change beyond the systemic challenges.”He also stated that the Africa X Change 2025 event must be the spark that builds a movement for change by Africans, for Africa.”
Speaking with the same tone, Musalia Mudavadi, incumbent Prime Cabinet Secretary of the government of Kenya, said, “We must review what’s not working and make amendments.” Musalia insisted that “It’s time to create new homegrown solutions.” He challenged African nations to shake off old systems, citing that aid from the West may take a complete rest.
If the West cuts off aid entirely, African philanthropists will need to come together and fund the initiatives of non-profits to sustain the change Africa needs.
Faustina Fynn Nyame, Executive Director of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation Africa, said, “It’s time Africa reimagines her development agenda on different terms.” Nyame underscored that former foreign funders were not meant to partner with the continent’s priorities for long. She insisted that Africa needed to develop an African strategy, own it, and fund it.
Accordingly, Ndidi Nwuneli, the Chief Executive Officer of the ONE Campaign, also dropped new bombshells to the development space. She said, “Private sectors stepped up during COVID-19 and can also step up now.” Nwuneli stated that Africans need to wake up because no one is coming to save us!”
She added, “We need African data for African problems, and we must be smarter with every coin we spend. $100 billion went into health and education, yet our debt remains a crisis.”
Additionally, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Chief Executive Officer of African Medical and Research Foundation Health Africa, said, “Sub-Saharan Africa is spending just $96 per person on health. ” He underscored the shocking reality, ” Poverty in Africa starts with fertility.” He boldly stated, “Even with USAID cuts, we’ve survived. We can thrive!”
Seemingly, African development partners are no longer waiting in the shadows of dwindling foreign aid. There is an awakening that is unapologetic towards self-reliance. Perhaps self-determination, sustainable financing, and homegrown solutions have finally caught the attention of developing partners. Ultimately, Africa’s future development hinges not on what is lost but on what can be built through unity, innovation, and purpose-driven collaboration. The time has come to sustain the change we seek, not through borrowed promises but through collective purpose, vision, and courage born of this continent.