My argument is that as African’s we get to define what “developed is to Africa”. This means the US and its undercover authority enforcing bodies (World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) cannot oppose this. EVER!
Africa is a different continent from every other continent in the world. Us— African’s — are so diverse with all of our different cultures. Think our Royal Regalia’s, our languages, cultures and socially accepted behaviors.
African countries have already been disenfranchised by Colonialism. It’s been ____ years of experience for many different countries since then. For Nigeria, it’s been over 65 years post colonialism. This means we’re either telling the story of Africa wrong or there’s clear and irrevocable proof that the systems that guide world politics and global economy don’t favor Africa.
In 1944, long before most African countries gained sovereignty, the Bretton Woods Conference took place from July 1–22, 1944, bringing together 730 delegates from 44 nations to establish the post-World War II international monetary system. This conference created two institutions that would dominate global finance for decades: International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The World Bank. The original mission was explicitly designed for European reconstruction, with no consideration for African development.
Right now, over 6 decades of Post colonialism for Most African countries, Africa is still largely considered under developed. Isn’t that strange?
Karenane Ebi. Iyakoregha argues that Africa is being wrongly presented. Whatever the reasons for colonialism were, have already happened. Africans can and should be able to define what “developed” is to Africa. And then, build systems that facilitates Africa’s development.
What’s stopping us from starting now?
The basis of my argument is the term development should not be defined for Africa. Since this happened when Africa was still under colonialism and there wasn’t much we could do as Africans at the time, it’s in the past. All we can do now is find solution to the “problems” we’ve been riddled with as a result of Neo-colonialism and systems that were designed before African continents regained freedom.
There’s a massive change in the world order. So much is changing so fast that I’d like to believe we’re living through a revolution. The exact same things you’ve read about in school. Think the great Industrial Revolution. Or the French Revolution and how it was. This time around it’s a Technological revolution. As Africans, we have the perfect window to all “develop” at the exact same time and ultimately choose the best ways to co-exist with each other. To do this effectively, we start by first redefining what “developed is to Africa by Africans” and do it NOW. We then build systems that facilitates Africa’s developed. For the whole at large, a reset in our economic and global relations is happening right now.
Africa is a different continent from every other continent in the world and as such must identify for itself what our pillars of strength are. Currently we’ve been mirroring everything to a single perspective — Western Perspective. The US, a perceived World Power, should not be able to define what developed is to Africa. The perceived most powerful countries are China, Russia, Britain, the US etc. The definition of Developed should therefore never be defined by anyone else but us, africans.
We spend so much more time talking about how underdeveloped we are, all the reason why we are “underdeveloped” and how our parents ( older presidents, governors and all the different leaders) carried out actions that further derailed our economic growth in our different African countries. We’ve all had suggestions about what we’d do if we were in a position of power. Criticized the government of your country in one way of the other. You probably know why things are systematically bad through your inner circle, maybe you benefit from it one way or the other.
How is it that we haven’t started mobilizing all of our unique approaches to developing our countries in one large file that serves as a basis for building Africa’s own sovereign guard rails? Karenane Ebi Iyakoregha
Decolonizing the mind by Nguigi Wa Thongo is a school of thought that “We, Africans, have been colonized even in our minds”. Ask yourself today about how we think about Africa including the animals that occupy our lands. How we think about work. How we think about practically anything — development, morality, wealth, religion and even who we are.
In relation to “Under developed”, it’s meaning and contextual use to describe most African countries, is Africa really not developed? or their definition of a ‘developed country’ just doesn’t apply to us anymore. This is where decolonizing the mind becomes a thing we have to actively work on, at a large scale, ensuring that each and every African sees this point of view as what the problem is.
As far as the government is concerned, its primary FOCUS should be to reimagine what “Developed” is to Africa. All of Africa must prepare their best delegates, individual who can dream of a Future Africa that is truly sovereign and one that we can be proud of. We paint the picture so clearly that every one sees an Africa where they fit in, are valued or can proudly call home.
For Entertainment industries, I implore producers and script writers to reimagine how Africa is presented. How we are presented even in movies matters. For each and every one of us, you’ll never travel to another country where anyone is racist towards you ever or looks down on you in anyway shape or form.
African Government will lead the way, by complying to what is necessary for this Redefinition of “Developed”. Be more flexible, and know that they mustn’t hold onto power especially the older generations. The world order is changing right before our eyes and everything we’ve tried in the last 60+ decades have not really worked well. We must try new ways of doing things.
My research continues. I hope to find other’s who can dream of an Africa that is beautiful in all of our culture and diversity but still sophisticated and our very own definition of Developed — The Africa we’re Proud of, designed for Africa by African’s. There will be no individualism. Those words don’t fit in our dictionary in the way the rest of the world interprets it, we’re a communal society first before anything else.
The problems is who amongst us starts it? What countries are going to work with me, Karenane Ebi Iyakoregha, to achieve this dream.
If you work with the Nigerian government or know anyone who does and would be happy to have a sit down with me, I’d love to chat.