Excellent article! Totally spot on. This is by far the most eloquent exposition on the whole international development infrastructure and the myriad complexities of what "aid" truly represents in actuality on the African continent (and beyond). Bravo.
One of the best articles I have read on the matter, thank you! I agree wholeheartedly on the need to build state capacity. However, with the majority of the continent under 35 years old, will we even know what a strong institution looks (and costs, to your point about public budgets) like, to be able to demand one?
Hi, Cindy. Thank you very much for reading and for your feedback. I do think that citizens across the continent recognize good governance (which is distinct from the Washington Consensus "good governance" diktats from the World Bank, IMF and other Western donors) and have regularly demanded it, as seen in many of the uprisings on the continent over the past decade and a half.
I would also point to the internet and its ability to shrink distance and knowledge gaps. Young Africans are digitally connected and can see with their eyes some of what their peers in other parts of the world enjoy, and want that for themselves.
That their demands have not been met speaks to many things including the predominance of electoralism in African political systems. But it should not be interpreted to mean a lack of knowledge or awareness of what effective governance is.
Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed and well informed analysis on the situation. As a westerner I learned a lot of the problems we inadvertently create with good but not always pure intentions. I really hope there long term will be as much a blessing in disguise as possible but fully realise what a massive challenge that will be
This piece offers well-articulated insights. Since the Trump administration wound down USAID, I haven't come across a more nuanced article on the subject. As you pointed out, African leaders must step up and seize the opportunities created by this sudden void. While it won’t be easy, it is essential if they truly seek to wean the continent off dependency on aid.
Your point on State Capacity is incredibly important. Tobi Lawson also brought up this discussion sometime last year. I need surf the internet to read his piece or podcast on the subject.
Thank you so much for reading and for the feedback. And I agree that state capacity is incredibly important, perhaps the most important question for African states going forward to my mind.
We have always been distant to development aid as it create the wrong liabilities. African government should be responsible to their citizens and not to foreign donors.
However, the abrupt departure of the US creates new problems that you have been describing very clearly.
We would have preferred a fading-out combined with a reliable timetable.
this was a fantastic read and I learned so much. I wrote about china's role in global south/USAID cuts, from a health Pov, trying to match needs and wants from both sides in a changing world order. https://chinahealthpulse.substack.com/p/no-china-wont-replace-usaid-but-here would love your thoughts!
Great article. I’ve been turning this over in my head, but you laid it out all so well. Thank you!
Many thanks for reading and sharing your feedback, Janaya. Appreciate you.
Excellent article! Totally spot on. This is by far the most eloquent exposition on the whole international development infrastructure and the myriad complexities of what "aid" truly represents in actuality on the African continent (and beyond). Bravo.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing feedback, Patrick.
I loved this so much. It was exhaustive and beautifully written.
Many thanks for reading and the feedback, Chibuikem.
One of the best articles I have read on the matter, thank you! I agree wholeheartedly on the need to build state capacity. However, with the majority of the continent under 35 years old, will we even know what a strong institution looks (and costs, to your point about public budgets) like, to be able to demand one?
Hi, Cindy. Thank you very much for reading and for your feedback. I do think that citizens across the continent recognize good governance (which is distinct from the Washington Consensus "good governance" diktats from the World Bank, IMF and other Western donors) and have regularly demanded it, as seen in many of the uprisings on the continent over the past decade and a half.
I would also point to the internet and its ability to shrink distance and knowledge gaps. Young Africans are digitally connected and can see with their eyes some of what their peers in other parts of the world enjoy, and want that for themselves.
That their demands have not been met speaks to many things including the predominance of electoralism in African political systems. But it should not be interpreted to mean a lack of knowledge or awareness of what effective governance is.
Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed and well informed analysis on the situation. As a westerner I learned a lot of the problems we inadvertently create with good but not always pure intentions. I really hope there long term will be as much a blessing in disguise as possible but fully realise what a massive challenge that will be
Thank you so much for the feedback.
This piece offers well-articulated insights. Since the Trump administration wound down USAID, I haven't come across a more nuanced article on the subject. As you pointed out, African leaders must step up and seize the opportunities created by this sudden void. While it won’t be easy, it is essential if they truly seek to wean the continent off dependency on aid.
Your point on State Capacity is incredibly important. Tobi Lawson also brought up this discussion sometime last year. I need surf the internet to read his piece or podcast on the subject.
Thank you so much for reading and for the feedback. And I agree that state capacity is incredibly important, perhaps the most important question for African states going forward to my mind.
A very interesting analysis. Thanks for that.
We have always been distant to development aid as it create the wrong liabilities. African government should be responsible to their citizens and not to foreign donors.
However, the abrupt departure of the US creates new problems that you have been describing very clearly.
We would have preferred a fading-out combined with a reliable timetable.
Thank you very much for your feedback.