The end of aid is Africa's moment of opportunity

A self-driving EV in Tongzhou district. The spiritual serenity invoked by the Temple of Heaven. A visit to CGTN's landmark building where a vast media empire is in action to tell an alternate world story. Beijing is an overwhelming mix of the past, the present, and the future.

But what does it have to do with Africa's aid issues, you are probably asking.

As a foreign journalist currently based in Beijing, where I have covered the monumental two sessions and am engaging with key figures like the deputy director at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, I am seeing answers for Africa in Beijing.

From the heart of China's political and economic hubs, I've come to realize that the withdrawal of Western aid from Africa is not a crisis—it's a turning point. This moment should be embraced as an opportunity for Africa to finally break free from the chains of dependency and embark on its own path toward greatness.

Let me hasten to say that China, despite its significant investments in Africa, does not have the answers for the continent's future.

But China's journey is inspiring. Its rise from poverty to global power was not fueled by foreign aid, but by self-reliance, bold investments, and an unwavering commitment to national growth. This, I believe, is the true lesson for Africa.

China's rise serves as a powerful example of what Africa can achieve, phenomenal growth not built on handouts or dependency but on the strategic use of partnerships.

Take, for instance, China's role in Africa's infrastructure development. Yes, China has invested in major projects across the continent—from ports and railways to energy and telecommunications.

For example, the investments China has made in Zimbabwe's power sector, such as the Kariba and Hwange power station upgrades, show how strategic infrastructure can help solve local problems and create long-term economic benefits.

I see the same pattern in Kenya, where China's railway projects have transformed trade routes and stimulated the economy. These are not acts of charity—they are partnerships that drive both local and global growth.

But as Africa, we need to clearly understand that these investments are about mutual growth, not charity. Post the FOCAC summit in Beijing in 2024, many African countries signed MoUs with Beijing for many developmental projects.

It is up to each African country to set up systems that ensure that these projects are viable and will create economic boosts that will make payment of loans sustainable. It is not incumbent on China to manage Africa's debts, but on Africa to initiate sustainable development.

The key takeaway from China's story is not just its investments. What stands out to me, as a journalist observing firsthand, is the mindset. I see a people who refused to accept the ignominy of poverty and backwardness as their destiny. Then they set out to methodically rise.

China developed its industries and focused relentlessly on self-sufficiency. This is the mindset Africa needs to adopt. Africa must stop seeing itself as a recipient of aid and start thinking of itself as a partner capable of forging its own path to success.

In speaking with Ms Jiang Xiaoyan, the deputy director general of the Department of Press, Communications and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a few days ago, one thing became clear: China views its African partnerships not through a lens of dominance, but as mutually beneficial engagements.

She made it clear that China will not step in to take up the slack left by Western aid systems but hopes Africa will turn away from donor reliance and look at leveraging the privileges offered by China for partner countries.

The decline of Western aid, while disruptive in the short term, presents a unique opportunity for Africa. Without the strings attached to packages—the political conditions, the governance expectations—Africans can now make decisions that are best suited to their own needs and aspirations.

Africa should consider itself lucky that it has a partner to walk with but not treat China as a big brother with all the answers.

We have seen Chinese entrepreneurs stepping up to solve local challenges in Africa. In Zimbabwe, for instance, Chinese investment is building up local industry capacity through the production of goods like bedding, footwear, plasticware, and electrical gadgets.

In Kenya, drought-resistant rice varieties developed with Chinese collaboration are helping improve food security. These are just a few examples of Africa's growing self-sufficiency.

The shift from aid dependence to self-reliance is not just possible; it's already happening. But Africa needs to step up and own the process. Because Chinese investors should not carry the burden of responsibility for Africa's progress and welfare.

Coercing Chinese investors into corporate social investment is not the answer. There is a need for Africans to be real partners in the economic driving initiatives like large-scale, low-entry, low-entry, large-scale mining.

And how can we do this? Local businesses partnering with Chinese investors is one answer. Contributory low entry public unit trusts is another option. That way everyone can have a stake in the economic boom, beyond just looking for jobs and waiting for donations.

As someone who has spent time in both Beijing and Africa, I firmly believe that Africa does not need answers from the East, West, South, North, or heaven, but can forge its own path.

The key is strategic investment—in investment—in infrastructure, in education, in technology, and in human capital.

I am not suggesting that this will be easy, as there are many challenges that we will have to overcome. But perhaps the biggest one is not viewing ourselves from the Western-driven narrative of Africa as the worst place on earth and doomed to forever be backward and primitive.

We should instead look at our vast resources, our youthful population, our unutilized potential, and unshackle ourselves from colonial economic chains and colonial mental borders.

The withdrawal of Western aid is not a setback but a chance for Africa to step up by embracing self-reliance and, strengthening internal cooperation. We must claim our stake in the shared future that China is building; no one will give it to us on a platter.

The author is a managing editor of ZimNow. The original article was published by the website of ZimNow on March 21, 2025.