Faith Masita
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has declared that the era of foreign aid dependency is over, urging African nations to prioritize trade, investment and industrial growth to secure sustainable economic development.
Speaking during the Korea-Africa Ministerial Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, Mudavadi said the continent must embrace strategic partnerships that create jobs, boost value addition and strengthen Africa’s role in global value chains amid shifting geopolitical and economic realities.
He noted that growing global uncertainty, weakening multilateral cooperation and changing donor priorities have made it necessary for African countries to rethink their development models and become more self-reliant.
Africa Must Shift from Aid to Trade.
Mudavadi emphasized that Africa should leverage partnerships that promote investment, industrialization and domestic resource mobilization rather than relying on external assistance.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the continent has significant opportunities to accelerate economic growth through increased trade, manufacturing and innovation while creating employment opportunities for its growing population.
He further called on African leaders to implement bold policy reforms that attract investors and strengthen economic resilience in the face of global economic disruptions.
Mudavadi said deeper cooperation between Africa and South Korea presents an opportunity to expand trade, technology transfer and industrial development, helping African economies achieve long-term prosperity.
The remarks come as African countries increasingly seek sustainable development models focused on investment, value addition and economic self-sufficiency rather than dependence on foreign aid.
