At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, African leaders and development experts have issued a strong call for a shift away from the continent’s long-standing reliance on foreign aid, urging greater investment in homegrown innovation and self-driven solutions.
The remarks came during a panel session titled “African-led Innovation: Shaping Sustainable Futures with or without Aid,” held on the sidelines of the global gathering.
For decades, many African nations have depended on foreign assistance to support critical sectors such as health, infrastructure, and social development. However, growing concerns about the limitations of this model have intensified, especially following the U.S. government’s announcement in January 2025 of major foreign aid reductions. Under the Rescissions Act of 2025, $7.9 billion in USAID funding commitments were rescinded, further highlighting the need for alternative approaches.
Chernor Bah, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, delivered a pointed critique of the aid-dependent model during the session.
“For decades, foreign aid has shaped health, innovation, and development in Africa but often without African ownership at the centre. In many ways, this created systems that were never truly ours,” Bah said.
He emphasized that innovation has always been part of African resilience, driven by necessity. Bah called on the continent to reclaim its development narrative and put African ideas and creativity at the forefront.
“This is a new era of designing Africa’s future one where African solutions lead the way,” he added.
The panel’s message was clear: sustainable progress in Africa must be built on foundations laid by Africans themselves, with external aid playing a supportive not central role.
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