The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on African leaders to explore internal funding opportunities for the continent rather than relying on foreign aid.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the former Nigerian finance minister emphasized the need for a shift in mindset regarding financial dependence.
“Access to aid, I think we can begin to think of it as a thing of the past,” Okonjo-Iweala stated.
The former World Bank development economist noted that Africa must view the current pause in billions of dollars in global funding for U.S. health and education projects not as a setback, but as an opportunity to redefine its financial strategies.
She urged African leaders to focus on attracting investments and mobilizing local resources to navigate the evolving global economic landscape, particularly in light of policies under the Donald Trump presidency.
