Transforming Africa: Homegrown Alternatives For Sustainable Development

By Ugonne Orimili Atu-Obinabo
Bingham University,Karu
Nassarawa State

The African continent is facing a development crisis compared to other regions, and this has been attributed to several causes such as, bad leadership, slavery, widespread poverty, inequality, democratic deficits , policy uncertainty, insecurity, poor economic management and other issues. The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the situation, leading to job losses and slowing down economic activities across the continent. Unemployment is one of Africa’s most pressing issues unlike other continents. According to an article from MyJobMag, Namibia currently records the highest unemployment rate in Africa at 36.9% , while Niger takes the lowest rate at 0.4% in 2025. Nigeria’s unemployment rate, based on World Bank estimates stands at 5.3%. These figures reflect the uneven nature of Africa’s labor markets and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

The idea that Africa needs to be developed, first appeared during the late colonial period, when European policymakers sought ways to justify their continued presence on the continent. They shifted the language from a civilizing mission to development, presenting themselves as agents of progress. After independence, African governments embraced this development discourse as a way to improve the lives of their citizens and maintain ties with former colonial powers.

However, Prof. Desmond Onyemechi Okocha, who is a Social Scientist, a leading voice in developmental communication, whose works on development communication champions sustainable solutions for African’s growth and social change in one of his teachings, is of the opinion that the Western designed measures are what kept Africa economically and permanently impoverished. Despite political independence, many African countries are still portrayed as poor, unstable, and in need of external assistance. International media such as Cable News Network (CNN), often project negative image and rarely highlight Africa’s successes or innovations.

In addition, there are models of development that serve as a clue for Africa, as they are rooted in Africa’s own realities. The African Ubutu Philosophy which means “I am because we are” emphasizes on interconnectedness, social harmony and the well-being of the community above individual gain. This philosophy can inform development models that prioritize social justice, equitable access to resources and community-based solutions. The Ubuntu philosophy provides a framework for

raising living standards and promoting sustainable practices by encouraging solidarity and interconnectedness.

Similarly, the post-modernism paradigm suggests that Africa should develop its unique strategies that accommodate local circumstances rather than relying solely on Western modernization theories. This theory recognizes the continent marginalization in the global economy and seeks to create a more relevant and effective development framework.

Despite the Ubuntu philosophy and Post-modernism models of development, Africa is said to lack a sustainable operational model that has the potential for transforming the continent, which is much needed to raise the bar for living standards and reduce poverty around the continent.

Debt remains one of the biggest obstacles to development. According to the World Bank (2023), twenty two African states are facing debt distress or are at the risk of it. The continent’s public debt has tripled since 2010 to $645 billion, with annual servicing of the debt amounting to about 25% of continent’s GDP.

This predicament may not be resolved anytime soon. Much of African countries’ external debt has resulted from infrastructure investment, which was touted in the 1980s and early 1990s as the solution for African development.

Banditry, terrorism, kidnappings, killings and food insecurity are on the rise across Africa. The World Bank estimates that as of 2025, about 120 million people in Africa are struggling with serious hunger. Almost 80% of them live in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Mozambique, Mali, etc. which are facing conflict. Poverty is also widespread, with around 464 million Africans still living in extreme hardship in 2024. Debt has further deepened the crisis, as more than half of the countries that get International Development Association (IDA ) 2025 support. 53% are already in, or close to a debt crisis. The Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance reported that the country spends a lot of her revenue servicing debt. For an average Nigeria, this is a very harsh reality to deal with as millions estimated that an average Nigerian family survives on barely one dollar a day.

Africa’s development can be strengthened by adopting developmental measures that prioritize community values, rights-based governance, and flexible, context-specific strategies. These approaches can help address the continent’s unique challenges and promote sustainable growth. Without a well tailored solution to address the developmental needs of the country, development may never happen

These approaches can help address the continent’s unique challenges and promote sustainable growth. Without locally tailored solutions that reflect the developmental needs of each country, meaningful progress will remain out of reach.

There is need for proper education in order for Africa to move forward. Leaders and citizens must understand that genuine development does not depend on copying the West. Real growth and development must be built on Africa’s own knowledge and traditions, not just copying the West. Africans should avoid being over dependent on imported items such as health care products, food systems, and education. Depending a lot on foreign ideas has weakened local practices and should be avoided.

The West made colonized African countries look down on their capacities, made them see what the West brings to us as legitimate and more superior. A typical example from the health sector is the issue of contraceptives. Earlier on in Africa, it was believed that breast-feeding was a natural contraceptive. Many African women adopted this means as a natural form of family planning. The West sold their own ideas of different forms of contraceptives as more superior for family planning ranging from Intrauterine device (IUDs), condoms, pills. You find most women going through these methods despite the numerous side effects that come with it. The West has a way of making our ideas and knowledge feel less superior, which is one of the ways they can continue to hold us captive. They counter our own ideas and sell their own to us.

There is need for proper grassroots education championed by our leaders in order for them to develop the country rather than depend on the West. Africans needs to understand that they cannot continue to depend on the West for solution. There is need to start building awareness and confidence in our own ability to generate ideas, create innovations, and implement policies is very crucial.

In addition to Prof. Okocha’s statement, Africans must undergo a mental emancipation and transformation that would be geared towards reorienting the psyche of Africans to believe in themselves. Most Africans are still trapped in colonial mentality, thoughts, beliefs and perceptions without even realizing it. Things that we think and perceive as normal are actually ideas of the developed countries. Example: The recent airport incident involving Nigerian Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and Comfort Bob. One of them went scot free for the same crime while heavy charges and detention were pressed on the other person. Also, we see people deny their indigenous names to adopt Western name in order to be

tagged classy, enlightened and ‘bougie’. We rarely see the Westerns adopt our indigenous names. Also, dark skinned people are perceived as inferior to the

light skinned people. This has made many people to bleach their beautiful brown skin just to fit into a particular category.

In the supermarkets and restaurants, we purchase foreign brands more than our own indigenous products, settle for Chinese food over our local delicacies. There is this superiority complex that comes with consuming foreign brands. We need a lot of unlearning and relearning in order to develop and this starts from our minds.

Furthermore, Africa must invest in building infrastructures that will benefit its people and grow the economy. Africa’s future depends on investing at home not abroad. Many Africans prefer to buy houses or properties in the West, further enriching foreign countries. We hear different reports on politicians, celebrities, influencer’s with properties in the West both dead and alive, neglecting their countries. True growth and development require Africans to return home, invest locally, and take charge of their development. If the West had not developed their own countries, no one would be seeking citizenship or opportunities there.

According to Prof. Desmond O. Okocha, Africa, especially Nigeria, needs urgent strategic planning that cuts across all sectors of the economy. The continent depends too heavily on imports, while local industries collapse under harsh conditions. Africa overdependence on the West has turned the continent into a dumping ground for foreign goods, from food and clothes to technology and medical equipment. We need to strengthen our local production and reduce dependence on imports.

The need for our leaders to have fruitful discussions and strategic planning on how to develop and stabilize the economy cannot be overemphasized. They should be able to set up industries, produce different products rather than rely on the West for every single product. They should encourage small business owners, create job opportunities, and tackle the issue of corruption. African countries, especially Nigeria, is blessed with many natural resources. The right leaders and government can tap into this and effectively develop the country.

Also, the issue of delayed gratification cannot be overlooked. Africans must be ready to suffer a little and make sacrifices. The huge question is how many are ready or willing to pay such Price? A typical African phrase is “Let us share the National cake or When it gets to your turn, eat your share”. Most Africans are unwilling to pay the price for development, yet we clamour for it. Most want the

shortcut to everything; they do not think of tomorrow. Everyone wants to be rich but have refused to pay the price for development.

Finally, Africa’s path to true development will only rise when it stops depending on the West and starts believing in its own capacity. Rather than depend largely on foreign importations, buying properties abroad and adopting to different Western solutions, the continent must start investing in their economy by building industries, infrastructures, and innovations. Unless critical issues such as debts, poverty and food insecurity are addressed, African will continue to remain backward and dependent. By taking charge of production, knowledge and communication, the continent will stop being a dumping ground and start shaping its own future.