The Mirage of Development: Unpacking Philosophical, Ideological, and Strategic Mistakes in Africa’s Pursuit of Prosperity as opined by the APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa – Written by Nduka Anyanwu, SA-Media to The APGA National Chairman.
Africa, a continent blessed with vast natural resources, divers cultures, and resilient people, continues to grapple with the elusive goal of prosperity. Despite decades of development efforts, many African countries remain mired in poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, serves as a poignant case study of the philosophical, ideological, and strategic mistakes that have hindered the continent’s progress.
Philosophical Mistakes: The Cult of Westernization
African development has long been shaped by Western ideologies, with many countries adopting foreign models
without critically evaluating their suitability for local contexts. This has led to a cultural disconnection, where African values and traditions are marginalized in favor of imported solutions. In Nigeria, for instance, the adoption of Western-style democracy has not necessarily translated to effective governance or improved living standards.
Ideological Mistakes: The Failure of Neo-Liberalism
The Washington Consensus, a set of neo-liberal economic policies, has dominated African development discourse since the 1980s. However, this ideology has failed to deliver on its promises, instead exacerbating inequality, poverty, and economic instability. In Nigeria, the implementation of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in the 1980s led to widespread economic hardship, while the more recent emphasis on privatization has benefited a narrow elite at the expense of the broader population.
Strategic Mistakes: The Neglect of Human Capital
African development strategies have often prioritized physical infrastructure over human capital development. This has resulted in a shortage of skilled professionals, inadequate education systems, and poor healthcare outcomes. In Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, the country still struggles with a significant skills gap, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Strategic Mistakes: The Over-Reliance on Natural Resources
Many African countries, including Nigeria, have relied heavily on natural resources to drive economic growth. However, this approach has led to the Dutch Disease phenomenon, where the abundance of natural resources hinders the development of other sectors, such as manufacturing and agriculture. Furthermore, the volatility of global commodity prices has left these countries vulnerable to economic shocks.
Way Forward: A New Development Paradigm
To break the cycle of underdevelopment, the APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly
Ezeokenwa has opined that Africa must adopt a new development paradigm that prioritizes:
1. Africanization: Development strategies that are tailored to local contexts, values, and traditions.
2. Human Capital Development: Investing in education, healthcare, and skills development to create a competitive workforce.
3. Diversification: Encouraging economic diversification to reduce dependence on natural resources.
4. Inclusive Growth: Implementing policies that promote equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities.
5. Regional Integration: Strengthening regional cooperation and integration to leverage economies of scale and enhance competitiveness.
In conclusion, Africa’s pursuit of prosperity has been hindered by philosophical, ideological, and strategic mistakes. To overcome these challenges, the continent
must adopt a new development paradigm that prioritizes Africanization, human capital development, diversification, inclusive growth, and regional integration. Only then can Africa unlock its full potential and achieve the prosperity its people deserve.
