NEPAD Heads of State and Government Summit: Does Africa Really Have Everything it Needs?

“Africa has everything it needs, including natural resources and agricultural potential. What we need now more than ever is investment in human capital, so that we can have quality and abundant human resources that have the knowledge and expertise in ensuring that our continent takes its place in the world in terms of development.”  Those were the words of Senegalese President - Mr Macky Sall, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC).

NEPAD, according to the AU article, is an economic development program of the African Union which aims to provide an overarching vision and policy framework for accelerating economic co-operation and integration among African countries.

Speaking at the opening of the Summit which took place on Saturday 16th July in the Rwandan capital - Kigali, President Sall commended the efforts taken by African leaders in implementing projects that have become a foundation for inclusive growth and achieving Agenda 2063. In his remarks, President Sall said that NEPAD emphasises the utilisation of Africa’s rich natural and human resources, as well as taps technological advancement to enhance development in the continent. He also called on citizens and leaders across Africa to work together in ensuring that the continent’s development objectives are achieved as per AU’s Agenda 2063

President Macky Sall of Senegal

He also advised African leaders to avoid the trap of external “exploiters” who want to misuse African resources for their own gain under unequal terms. “We have rich resources and many exploiters in the world want to utilise them, not for our gain but for their gain. I request African countries to exploit their resources while focusing on Agenda 2063 because it is essential in empowering citizens and driving inclusive growth,” he said.

With due respect President Sall , Africa might have everything it needs but unfortunately, we do not have the capacity or resources to make good use of what we have. If you just think of the potential Africa has got to produce enough electricity, it beggars belief that  there is still more than 645 million people in the continent who have no access to electricity, according to the AfDB. A staggering 70% of people in sub-Saharan Africa are without access to electricity. Therefore Africa does not definitely have everything it needs just yet! We are on the right track but we are still a very long way from the finish line.

On the issue of avoiding 'exploiters', it saddens me to accept it but we Africans have always been exploited. We have been enslaved and colonised. And even now that we claim to be free and independent, we still can’t find the tenacity to stand on our own feet, leaving us exposed to further exploitation. Nowadays, Chinese influence in Africa is on a sharp increase which makes me wonder if, in hindsight, they are indirectly trying to colonise us. Come to think about it! 50 years or so ago, China was nowhere near where it is today. They manage to stand on their own feet and build an enviable economic powerhouse. Why on earth can't Africa do the same!

Until we manage to stand up on our own feet, we will forever be vulnerable to outside interference which could only lead to endless exploitations.