Africa must tell its success story

Gaborone, Botswana, 23 November 2024 (ECA) - Africa is experiencing numerous successes, yet these achievements go unnoticed as the positive stories of the continent's progress are not being told. This lack of a positive narrative perpetuates negative stereotypes.

"This continent has suffered from being viewed through a negative lens," said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She was speaking during a fireside chat on Global Geopolitical Complexities and Africa's Development Pathway, moderated by Gogontlejang Phaladi-Morokotso, Founder and Executive Director of the Pillar of Hope Project.

"There is always this sense that Africa is this place where donors have to dump their charitable acts. Because we are going to Africa with aid we have people there with no strength and brains," Eziakonwa said during the 2024 African Economic Conference in Gaborone, Botswana.

"This is one of the burdens of the continent. It is very important to change that narrative. It will have to come from Africans to tell their story of the dynamism of the continent and its diversity".

She emphasised that Africa has endured a legacy of stereotyping and being synonymous with failure, which needs to change. "Africa should present itself as a continent that thrives and upholds the spirit of common humanity," she said.

Eziakonwa also called on Africans to share the continent's achievements and urged leaders to avoid false celebrations of excellence.

"We need more African writers telling the story of Africa and we should stop this self-adulation, particularly at the level of leaders, when we celebrate excellence when there is none. It is about leadership and governance," she added.

Eziakonwa believes that a significant part of reshaping Africa's narrative involves empowering young people. She notes that in many African cultures, the youth are expected to be seen and not heard. However, she highlighted Botswana's recent cabinet appointments, which included more members under 50, as an example of progress. "We are seeing more young people being recognised but the investment in making young people succeed in whatever they do has not been done."

Regarding foreign aid, Eziakonwa cautioned that it has often done more harm than good to Africa's psyche and institutions, due to how it has been structured. She said aid comes at a cost and consumes much of Africa's energy and attention while offering diminishing returns.

"We have to be more innovative and we need to correct this sense that Africa is trapped in aid," said Eziakonwa.

This year, the UNDP launched the "Timbuktoo" initiative in partnership with African countries. It aims to become the world's largest financing facility for the continent's startup ecosystem, blending catalytic and commercial capital to foster innovation. The initiative also seeks to promote a creative hub that will empower African storytellers in arts and fashion to access funding and amplify the continent's successes.

Contributing to the discussion, Executive Secretary of ECA, Claver Gatete, reinforced the need to move beyond aid.

"Aid is not the end, it is just the means. We need to focus on domestic resource mobilisation and find our own innovative solutions so that Africa is not seen to be depending on aid."

Issued by:
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Economic Commission for Africa
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