The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has called on African countries to take urgent action to end poverty and mismanagement of natural resources if they want to earn the respect of the global community.
Adesina made the remarks while delivering his speech titled “For the world to respect Africa” at the 40th anniversary of the Guardian newspaper in Lagos.
Adesina lamented the fact that Africa, despite its abundant natural resources, remains a continent plagued by poverty.
“Africa will not earn respect globally until we end poverty at scale. We have allowed poverty to linger pervasive, and the major complaints are that our nations are resource-rich, yet the majority of our citizens remain poor,” Adesina stated.
“In most cases, we often tend to accept poverty as normal. Let me be unequivocally clear. Poverty is not normal. It is abnormal, especially when we have so many resources and when it has been pervasive for so long, and that is why I believe Africa shall not become a museum of poverty. “
He criticised the use of the term “poverty alleviation,” arguing that it implies that poverty is an acceptable condition. Instead, he called for the eradication of poverty and the creation of wealth.
“We do not mean the so-called poverty alleviation. Because that is a term that I reject in its entirety. We cannot be comfortable with poverty,” Adesina said.
“If you’re sick from malaria and you visit your doctor, who says, “I will alleviate your malaria,” please get out and look for a better doctor. I do not believe in poverty alleviation. If someone moves from $1.30 per day to $1.50 per day, they move to $1.60 per day. They are still poor.”
Challenging the notion of a “natural resource curse,” Adesina argued that the issue lies in a lack of leadership and governance.
He cited examples of resource-rich nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Norway that have successfully managed their natural resources, highlighting the importance of governance, transparency, accountability, and sound resource management.
Adesina also questioned the accountability of African leaders who claim public good by showcasing modest achievements, such as installing boreholes, on national television.
He argued that such actions are indicative of government failure, especially in the twenty-first century, and that leaders should be held accountable for effectively managing the people’s resources.
“I wonder sometimes when people go around and say, Well, I’ve actually helped we put a borehole in our state on national television. The very fact that you’re actually installing a borehole is an indication of government failure because in this 21st century, every single house must have pipe-borne water and we should get away from this feeling of leaders feeling that our leaders are doing public good. No. leaders should be held accountable for the resources of the people.”
He also urged African governments to stop taking loans backed by their natural resources, calling these loans “expensive” and “not transparent.” and called for increased transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources.
Adesina also addressed the issue of food security, noting that Africa will play a critical role in feeding the world’s growing population, pointing to Africa’s vast uncultivated arable land but lamenting the continent’s inability to feed itself.
He, however, asserted that Africa will gain global respect when it can feed itself and no longer depends on others for sustenance and urged a shift in mindset, stressing the need for responsible resource management, transparency, and accountability to ensure the resources benefit the entire population rather than a privileged few.
“Africa will gain respect when it is able to feed it. Any nation or region that begs for food is free only in words.”