Former African Union Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma has called on African leaders to harness the continent’s abundant resources for the benefit of its people.
She emphasized the need to utilize Africa’s natural resources, such as sunshine, rivers, and oil, to drive development.
Speaking at the BOMA of Africa event, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma stressed the importance of self-determination and building Africa’s own infrastructure, including trains, cars, and roads.
She warned against relying solely on external investors, saying, “Our minds and trajectory to Agenda 2063 cannot be determined only by investors, otherwise, we are colonized.”
The event, themed “From the Africa We Want to the Africa We Build,” aimed to celebrate innovative ideas and actions driving Africa forward. It featured discussions on health, wealth creation, development financing, and governance, with a focus on realizing Africa’s continental aspirations.
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma also emphasized the need for Africans to reclaim their identity and not be defined by colonization and slavery.
She expressed concern that Africa’s youthful population has become a supplier of labor to other parts of the world, urging Africans to travel by choice, not desperation.
Key highlights of the event included the 2nd Sankore Lecture, the inaugural Sankore Awards, and showcases of transformative projects such as Energize Africa and the Home-Grown Solutions Accelerator. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to advancing regional integration, socio-economic growth, and resilience across the continent.
