In a resounding call for self-reliance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization and former Nigerian finance minister, urged African leaders to focus on harnessing domestic resources and attracting investment amid a growing global funding gap. Speaking at the conference at headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa on Sunday, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala warned that the continent can no longer depend on international aid to drive its development, as billions of dollars in funding for U.S. health and education projects have been paused amid shifting geopolitical priorities under the policies of the Donald Trump administration.
“Access to aid, I think we can begin to think of it as a thing of the past,” declared Dr. Okonjo-Iweala during her keynote address. Her comments resonated deeply with an audience of African leaders, policymakers, and development practitioners, many of whom have been grappling with reduced foreign aid flows that have traditionally supported critical sectors such as healthcare and education.
The former finance minister’s call for a paradigm shift comes at a time when Africa’s development challenges are mounting. With global funding in a state of flux—exacerbated by changing U.S. policies and the increasing prioritization of domestic agendas in donor countries—Africa must now chart its own course. “We really need to change our mindset and see opportunities in the face of challenges. Instead of waiting for aid to come, we must mobilize our resources and attract investment to transform our economies,” she asserted.
This sentiment is echoed by recent domestic developments in Nigeria, where the Federal Government has had to absorb 28,000 health workers affected by a freeze on USAID funding. The move, widely reported in Nigerian media, highlights the immediate repercussions of global funding uncertainties. With aid drying up, the Nigerian government is compelled to step in and provide for its citizens, further underlining the urgency of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s message.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stressed that the current global funding environment is not sustainable. “The pause in billions of dollars in funding for U.S. health and education projects should serve as a wake-up call to all African nations,” she said. “We cannot afford to be passive recipients of aid. Instead, we must invest in our own capacities—through education, digital infrastructure, and skills development—to turn our youthful population into a powerhouse of innovation, leadership, and global competitiveness.”
In her remarks, she also underscored the need for African leaders to create policies that attract private investment, rather than relying solely on international donors. “Our continent is endowed with immense natural and human resources. It’s time we looked inward and created the conditions for sustainable growth by encouraging private sector participation in development. This is the only way to achieve long-term political stability and economic resilience,” she noted.
The call for self-reliance comes at a crucial moment. Africa is currently facing several pressing challenges, including high unemployment rates, underdeveloped infrastructure, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the continent is also home to a dynamic and rapidly growing population. By investing in domestic capabilities and nurturing local talent, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala believes that African nations can overcome these obstacles and emerge as competitive players on the global stage.
Her remarks at the African Union headquarters were part of a broader forum discussing the future of inclusive development across the continent. The forum, organized by the AU in collaboration with several international agencies, is seen as a pivotal moment for rethinking traditional aid models. “We need to rethink how we finance development in Africa. Relying on aid has never been a sustainable solution. It’s time for us to explore new financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, local capital mobilization, and innovative approaches to trade and investment,” she emphasized.
As the session drew to a close, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s message was clear: African leaders must act decisively to ensure that their nations are not left vulnerable in an era where global funding is no longer a given. The transformation of Africa’s economies, she argued, hinges on the ability of its leaders to foster an environment where private investment and local ingenuity can flourish. “Our future lies in our hands. We have the potential to build a prosperous, self-reliant Africa if we are willing to invest in ourselves and create the conditions for growth,” she concluded.
Her passionate plea has since sparked vigorous debates across social media and policy circles, with many praising her call for a new approach to development. As African nations confront the dual challenges of dwindling aid and rising internal demands, the wisdom of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s vision is being hailed as both timely and transformative. With the future of development on the continent at a crossroads, her call to “look inward” could very well become the cornerstone of Africa’s next chapter in self-determined progress.
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