Today, I delivered a statement at the 21st International Development Association (IDA) Africa Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
The IDA is a partnership between the World Bank and African nations seeking a robust replenishment.
I called upon my African brothers to audit the intentions of the World Bank loans to ensure that they are for prosperity rather than profiteering. What loans are we getting as Africa? Is the World Bank giving us loans for private sector-led growth or to be more dependent?
The main reason there is no growth in Africa is that the growth factors are neither funded nor understood; those who want to help Africa should fund our transport systems, electricity, raw material processing, and import substitution.
Why are we being funded to import and hold seminars in the name of capacity building?
I, therefore, challenged my African brothers to think about the hemorrhage of Africa. Our populations are increasing, but our economies are stunted. The IDA should tell us why they are funding the modern slavery of Africans, and we should address issues like why Africa is producing what it does not consume and consuming what it does not produce.