Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has slammed African nations for their dependence on foreign aid, following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt funding to foreign countries. In a viral video, Kenyatta criticized those complaining about Trump’s move, calling it a much-needed wake-up call for Africa to stop begging and start utilizing its own resources effectively.
“I saw some people the other day crying about Trump’s decision to halt foreign aid to African nations. Why are they crying? It is not your government, and it is definitely not your country. He has no reason to give you anything; you do not pay taxes in America,” Kenyatta stated. Instead of outrage, he urged Africans to focus on self-reliance, adding, “This is a wake-up call to Africa to ask what we can do to help ourselves instead of crying.”
Africa’s Addiction to Free Money
For decades, African nations have relied on handouts from Western countries, often using these funds inefficiently or for corrupt purposes. Kenyatta did not hold back in his criticism, emphasizing that Africa has the resources to sustain itself but mismanages them. “It is time for us to use our resources for the right thing because we are the ones using them for the wrong things,” he said.
Trump’s executive order to pause U.S. foreign aid aligns with his ‘America First’ agenda, prioritizing American interests over foreign expenditures. While this decision may have significant economic implications for aid-dependent countries like Nigeria, Kenyatta insists it should serve as motivation for African leaders to rethink their reliance on external support.
Nigeria and the Fallout of Foreign Aid Cuts
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been a major beneficiary of foreign aid, receiving billions in grants and loans over the years. With over 200 million people, the country faces economic struggles, and many fear that the pause in U.S. aid could worsen its financial situation. However, several persons argue that aid has done little to improve governance, infrastructure, or economic independence.
The question for you and me to answer is, Will African leaders finally step up and invest in their own people, or will they continue waiting for the next round of handouts? Kenyatta’s message is clear, Africa must stop begging and start building.
