On May 24, 1963, President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana delivered a significant address to 32 fellow post-independence leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, just before the establishment of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union (AU). His message was unequivocal: Africa had to unite or risk extinction. In his speech, Nkrumah outlined a vision of a peaceful, united, and flourishing Africa, which included the establishment of a common market, a shared currency, a monetary zone, common citizenship, a unified defense system, and industrialization.

What those leaders could not foresee was that half a century later, in 2013, the leaders of the 54 supposedly independent African nations would gather again in Addis Ababa to request an additional 50 years to fulfill the aspirations laid out in 1963—now rebranded as Agenda 2063.

This agenda envisions a “peaceful, united, and prosperous” Africa, aiming to free the continent from persistent instability, poverty, and inequality, with unemployment surpassing 30%, over $1 trillion in development aid received over the last 50 years, and chronic external debt expected to hit $1.15 trillion by the end of 2023. Essentially, it is a continuation of the deferred hopes of Africa’s founding leaders.

Despite the belief that a vision should extend beyond present capabilities, the AU’s Agenda 2063 feels like an exercise in “kicking the can down the road.” Few of the leaders present at the 2013 meeting are likely to be around to face accountability in 2063.

Recent analysis by Development Reimagined reveals that only Libya, Eritrea, and Botswana have not sought assistance from the IMF. Kenya has approached the IMF a staggering 23 times, facing backlash from Generation Z, who refuse to let their future be compromised by foreign interests. Furthermore, China, which has encumbered Africa with debt in exchange for resources, has recently threatened to seize a Zambian airport following the country’s default on its debt.

Despite possessing vast arable land, sub-Saharan Africa struggles to feed its population, incurring a staggering food import bill that reached $43 billion in 2019 for agricultural commodities and products fit for human consumption, according to the Brookings Institution.

‘You must produce yourself into equality’

The Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands study, conducted over the past 14 years, indicates that less than 20% of brands admired by Africans are produced within the continent. In simple terms, Africans largely overlook most locally made products.

For Africa to achieve genuine independence, a radical transformation of its economy and ecosystem is imperative.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was ratified in 2018 in Rwanda, aimed at harnessing the potential of our growing population of over 1.4 billion, predominantly youthful individuals, and a collective economy valued at $3.5 trillion, with the goal of elevating intra-African trade from 15% to 50% by 2030.

However, these ambitions may remain unfulfilled unless we reimagine our economic ecosystem.

Singapore, often cited as a successful example of 20th-century development, transformed its future in just one generation. Lee Kuan Yew, who steered the establishment of modern Singapore post-independence in 1965, believed the nation’s growth arose from shared values among its diverse ethnic and religious groups, high educational standards, meritocracy at all levels, and the utilization of state resources to develop and expand domestic industries in sectors like shipbuilding, electronics, and banking.

As former South African minister without portfolio in Nelson Mandela’s cabinet, Jay Naidoo, once noted: “everyone has an agenda for Africa, but Africa has no agenda for itself.”

A sound domestic agenda drives prosperity

On his last day in office in 1933, US President Herbert Hoover signed the Buy American Act, requiring federal purchasers to prioritize US-made products whenever possible. In 2021, President Joe Biden enacted an Executive Order designed to enhance the competitiveness of US businesses in key sectors while also providing more employment opportunities for American workers. A product is deemed American-made if its components account for 60% or more of its cost, with that threshold set to increase to 75% by 2029. Currently, imported goods and services represent less than 5% of public sector procurement in the US.

Faced with perceived unfair competition from nations like China, which supplies 95% of its solar panels and dominates 96% of global solar wafer production, the European Union is progressing towards a “Buy European Act” aimed at reinforcing its market share, supporting local industries, reclaiming its economic leadership, and securing its technological future. Ongoing debates question whether such Acts foster competition or provide better deals for consumers, but they arguably contribute to domestic job creation and stimulate a market for locally manufactured goods and services.

Africa has become a repository for Western and Eastern products and ideologies. An analysis from the authors of the acclaimed book How Africa Trades reveals that Africa’s share of global trade in exports, primarily fuels and resources, has plummeted from a high of 5% in 1965 to just over 2% in 2020.

While it’s acknowledged that Africa cannot completely isolate itself from global entities, there is an urgent need to rebalance the terms of engagement while ensuring that our markets remain competitive, open, and independent.

The UN predicts that by 2100, Africa’s population could surpass 3.5 billion, with 62% urbanization by 2050, and GDP growth is expected to outpace the global average. The opportunity for transformation is immediate—not simply in 2063. There is a pressing need for a visionary and proactive agenda “for Africa by Africans” to turn this potential into a genuinely prosperous and united Africa.

Although Africa is composed of 54 distinct nations at various developmental stages, it is conceivable that it can rise above its linguistic, cultural, size, and colonial border differences, uniting under a shared African citizenship and common values of humanity, resilience, hospitality, and ingenuity to pursue a pro-Africa agenda.

Time to buy African

If the AfCFTA is to prosper and Africa is to achieve true economic independence, the AU must advocate for a pan-African Buy Africa Act. With recent findings from Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands indicating that 64% of Africans believe in Africa, yet only 14% actively purchase African products, it is crucial for African consumers to not only express support for African goods but also to make active purchases. Moreover, African governments should implement policies that promote a pro-Africa procurement strategy, ensuring at least 50% of all sourcing is local.

In our quest for economic and political independence, we must industrialize, and the enactment of a Buy Africa Act should serve as a pivotal step forward.