Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Seminar on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in China’s Ningxia Autonomous Region, Kagwanja argued that decades of aid have failed to deliver lasting development outcomes across much of Africa.
Kagwanja, a Former Adviser to the Kenyan government, said external assistance often creates dependency rather than sustainable economic growth. “Aid can never develop a country. Aid can never lift a country from poverty. It creates dependency,” said Kagwanja.
According to Kagwanja, one of the key lessons African leaders can draw from China’s development experience is that long-term progress must be driven by internal resources, national commitment and local initiative rather than external support.
Kagwanja pointed to China’s economic transformation and large-scale poverty reduction efforts as evidence that development is most effective when it is rooted in domestic capability and self-reliance. “What we have learned from here in China is that resources for development, energy for development and the dynamic for development must come from within,” said Kagwanja.
The comments come amid growing debate across Africa about the role of foreign aid in development, particularly as many traditional donor countries reduce overseas assistance budgets and shift spending priorities towards domestic challenges and security concerns.
Kagwanja argued that reliance on external funding has limited the ability of some African countries to build independent and resilient economies.
According to Kagwanja, development strategies driven from within are more likely to promote economic independence, strengthen local institutions and create sustainable growth opportunities. “Anything from outside creates dependency. Anything from inside, initiative from inside, creates independence,” said Kagwanja.
The seminar brought together participants to discuss governance, development and policy issues, with particular focus on China’s development model and its relevance to developing countries.
Kagwanja said Africa’s experience over the past 70 years demonstrates the importance of prioritising locally driven solutions to economic challenges.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
