I am presently on a bus (the majestic Michigan Flyer), from Lansing to Detroit; on my way to the 7th Youth Connekt Summit in Rwanda. I am so deeply in love with Michigan, because (unlike Manhattan, where I have lived for the past two years), I find Michigan (and specifically Lansing) a relatable model for development, and something African countries can not only work towards, but also attain (and specifically within the duration of my lifetime).
This will be my first time in Detroit, so I am riding shotgun on this bus; fully taking Michigan in.
As I jet off to Rwanda in a few hours, I am filled with anticipation and purpose. This gathering represents a pivotal moment for African youth to connect, collaborate, and build a future aligned with our vision for a prosperous, self-sustaining Africa.
My academic commitments—supply chain management (my MBA concentration) and finance exams, and a statistics quiz—had me quite overwhelmed, and it took me a moment to even process what just happened.
U.S. Elections (Results)
So… the elections are finally over. When I was coming to the U.S. to embark on my MBA studies at the Broad College of Business (Michigan State University), I was quite keen to be on the ground to experience an American election. Needless to say, I am so thrilled that the spam text messages are finally over; but my, did I learn a lot about how campaigns in the first world are done.
As the dust settles, it is natural for many of us to reflect on the wider implications of these results, particularly for African nations. These reflections go beyond personal disappointment or joy for the outcomes; they touch on the responsibility that public service and policy decisions have on people’s lives. I find myself not only disappointed by the electoral outcomes, but also pensive about the broader global repercussions—especially in the context of service before self.
For African countries, the U.S. election holds more than just symbolic significance. Policies set by powerful economies like the U.S. have a direct impact on international aid, trade, and diplomatic relations with Africa, and specifically for countries like my own—Malawi.
For decades, African nations have relied on international aid to address development challenges. This dependency has kept many countries in a cycle of dependency, relying on the goodwill and strategic interests of wealthier nations instead of forging paths toward self-sufficiency.
While acknowledging that aid can be and has been a crucial short-term solution, we must push forward a vision for a self-sustaining Africa.
The Short-Term Reality: The Need for Aid
As much as we aim for independence, we must recognize the importance of international aid, particularly in the short term. Aid provides a lifeline for countries facing crises, supports healthcare systems, enables infrastructure projects, and allows for economic stabilizers in times of political or environmental instability. For many African nations, the aid provided by Western countries, including the U.S., has been pivotal for growth, stability, and public health.
However, it is important to remember that aid often comes with strings attached—be they economic, political, or ideological. Changes in U.S. leadership and policies can impact the continuity or focus of aid, influencing which sectors receive support and which are deprioritized.
This election, in my opinion, serves as a reminder that while we may welcome or need aid, relying too heavily on external support leaves us vulnerable to the ever-changing tides of global politics.
Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: Comparing Policy Approaches
As we examine the recent U.S. election results, it is important to understand the policy differences between Kamala Harris’s agenda and Donald Trump’s previous policies, particularly in areas that directly impact African nations.
Harris, representing the Democratic administration, has championed a more multilateral approach that emphasizes partnership and mutual benefit. In contrast, Trump’s administration adopted a more America-first (rightfully so), protectionist stance, which had distinct effects on trade, aid, and immigration policies affecting African nations.
1. Foreign Aid and Development Assistance
- Kamala Harris’s Policy: V.P. Harris, alongside President Joe Biden, has supported increasing foreign aid and development assistance to promote stability, health, and economic growth in Africa. This includes commitments to funding health initiatives like HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria eradication, and COVID-19 vaccine distribution, through programs such as PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). The administration also aims to fund climate resilience initiatives and promote women’s empowerment in African communities, acknowledging the role of U.S. aid in supporting sustainable development.
- Donald Trump’s Policy: The Trump administration took a critical stance on foreign aid, often questioning its effectiveness and advocating for significant cuts to international assistance. Trump’s “America First” approach prioritized domestic interests, and foreign aid was often viewed as expendable. His administration proposed slashing the budgets of agencies like USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and reallocating resources to domestic programs. However, he maintained support for specific aid initiatives, such as PEPFAR, recognizing its impact on global health.
- Implications for Africa: Harris’s policies suggest a continued and potentially expanded role of U.S. aid in Africa, focusing on health, climate, and women’s issues. This could provide African nations with needed resources for infrastructure and social programs. In contrast, Trump’s approach indicated a more selective allocation of aid, limiting assistance primarily to high-impact areas and essential health initiatives.
2. Trade and Economic Partnerships
- Kamala Harris’s Policy: Harris and the Biden administration have expressed a commitment to strengthening economic partnerships with Africa, particularly through initiatives like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows certain African goods to enter the U.S. duty-free. They emphasize fair trade, promoting economic inclusivity, and encouraging American investment in African industries, especially in renewable energy and technology sectors. This administration’s approach aligns with promoting African economies through long-term trade relationships rather than relying solely on aid.
- Donald Trump’s Policy: Trump’s administration focused on renegotiating trade deals that he believed disadvantaged the U.S., including reviewing AGOA to ensure it benefited American interests. His administration was less inclined to prioritize Africa in trade policy, focusing instead on Asia and renegotiating agreements like NAFTA (revised as USMCA). However, the Trump administration did express interest in forging bilateral trade deals with African nations, rather than multilateral trade agreements, viewing bilateral agreements as better for American economic interests.
- Implications for Africa: Under Harris’s influence, the U.S. was likely to pursue a cooperative trade policy that supports African economies by encouraging foreign direct investment and partnerships. Trump’s approach, on the other hand, was more transactional, emphasizing bilateral agreements that prioritized U.S. benefits. African nations may benefit more from the Harris administration’s support for AGOA, which allows broader market access.
3. Climate Change and Environmental Policy
- Kamala Harris’s Policy: Harris has been an outspoken advocate for addressing climate change, both domestically and internationally. The Biden-Harris administration has rejoined the Paris Agreement and pledged to support global climate initiatives, with a focus on helping vulnerable regions, including African nations, adapt to climate impacts. Their policies involve funding for climate resilience projects in African countries, as well as partnerships for developing renewable energy sources across the continent.
- Donald Trump’s Policy: Trump’s administration withdrew from the Paris Agreement, and his policies prioritized U.S. energy independence through traditional fossil fuels. His administration was less focused on climate change as a global priority, and funding for environmental initiatives abroad was significantly reduced. Trump emphasized deregulation to bolster the American energy sector, arguing that this approach promoted economic growth and energy security.
- Implications for Africa: Harris’s policies suggest an increase in climate-related assistance, providing African nations with resources to combat desertification, flooding, and other climate-related challenges. This could position Africa as a key player in the global green economy. In contrast, Trump’s policies offered little support for environmental initiatives in Africa, as his administration prioritized domestic economic growth over international climate obligations.
4. Immigration and Visa Policies
- Kamala Harris’s Policy: Harris has generally supported more open immigration policies and family reunification efforts, reversing several restrictive measures put in place by the Trump administration. Her stance, aligned with Biden, aims to foster cultural exchange and strengthen U.S.-Africa relations by making it easier for African students, entrepreneurs, and families to migrate legally to the U.S. She has also advocated for more transparent and humane immigration policies.
- Donald Trump’s Policy: Trump’s administration implemented more restrictive immigration policies, including travel bans targeting certain African and predominantly Muslim-majority countries, under the guise of national security. His administration made it more challenging for African students and professionals to obtain visas, which affected educational and professional exchanges between the U.S. and African nations.
- Implications for Africa: Harris’s more open immigration policies could enhance educational and professional exchanges, benefiting African students and skilled workers seeking opportunities in the U.S., and vice-versa. In contrast, Trump’s policies restricted such exchanges, potentially limiting the exposure of African talent to American markets and education, and vice-versa.
5. Global Health and Pandemic Response
- Kamala Harris’s Policy: The Biden-Harris administration has placed a high priority on global health security, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have committed to supporting vaccine distribution through initiatives like COVAX and increasing contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen pandemic response capabilities in African nations. Harris’s approach includes building health infrastructure in developing countries to prepare for future pandemics.
- Donald Trump’s Policy: Trump’s administration adopted a more nationalistic approach to the pandemic, initially downplaying global collaboration and withdrawing from the WHO (later reversed by the Biden administration). Trump prioritized “America First” in vaccine distribution, although his administration supported Operation Warp Speed, which facilitated vaccine development.
- Implications for Africa: Harris’s approach emphasizes a cooperative global health strategy, offering African nations greater support in managing health crises. Trump’s policies were more inward-looking, limiting global collaboration and support, which may have affected Africa’s access to critical health resources during the pandemic.
In comparing the policy approaches of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, it is clear that each administration has distinct priorities and impacts on Africa. Harris’s policies emphasize multilateralism, aid, climate resilience, and open immigration, suggesting a more supportive role for African development. Trump’s approach, on the other hand, prioritized U.S. interests through selective aid, bilateral trade agreements, and strict immigration policies. This is extremely valid—he is America first, as I am Africa first.
For African nations, Harris’s policies could provide more resources and opportunities to tackle long-term challenges, from health to economic growth and climate adaptation. However, it is essential for African countries to view these policies as supplementary to their own development initiatives. True independence and growth for Africa lie in building resilient economies, fostering innovation, and developing sustainable policies that don’t rely solely on external aid or partnerships.
Ultimately, while African nations can benefit from these U.S. policies, we must remain focused on a vision of a self-sustaining Africa—an Africa that relies on its own strength, fosters local talent, and builds economic resilience in a rapidly changing global landscape.
My Personal Commitment: A Self-Sustaining Africa
Despite the need for aid, Africa’s future cannot rest on perpetual dependency.
True sovereignty and development lie in the ability of African nations to generate their own wealth, invest in local industries, and build economic structures that benefit their populations sustainably.
With each election cycle in major economies, we must ask ourselves: how do we position ourselves to be less affected by external shifts?
In my work with the Ntha Foundation, I’ve always emphasized economic growth from within—creating opportunities for university students and young graduates, fostering entrepreneurship, and equipping future generations with practical skills. Aid can be a stopgap, but the focus should be on fostering Africa’s internal capabilities to be self-reliant.
Building the Ntha Foundation (and the Kwathu Kollective by extension) has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me—a journey marked by the unwavering support of our international donors, stakeholders, and friends who have believed in our mission from the very beginning. I am deeply grateful for their contributions, which have enabled us to create impactful programs focused on education, digital literacy, and youth empowerment across Malawi and beyond. The generosity and trust of our global community have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and it is this support that inspires us every day to push further, to dream bigger, and to transform more lives across the African continent.
Looking ahead, my vision for the Ntha Foundation is to become a self-sustaining organization—an initiative created for African youth, by African youth.
To achieve this, we are implementing several key strategies. We are focusing on building sustainable revenue streams through partnerships with African businesses and investments in social enterprises that can fund our programs independently. We are empowering our team and beneficiaries with the entrepreneurial and technical skills needed to manage and expand these projects. We are also strengthening local collaborations to ensure that our work remains rooted in the needs and aspirations of our communities.
By fostering self-sufficiency and resilience within the foundation, we aim to serve as a model for African-led development, championing a future where young Africans are the primary architects of their own progress and prosperity.
The Role of African Governments in Shaping This Vision
A shift toward self-sustainability requires that African governments take the lead in setting priorities for economic growth, job creation, and social development. This involves:
- Investing in Education and Skills Development: By nurturing a skilled workforce, African countries can reduce the need for foreign expertise and support local industries.
- Building Infrastructure: Investments in roads, energy, and digital infrastructure are essential to foster economic activity and trade within and beyond Africa.
- Fostering Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses can drive economic growth from the ground up, creating jobs and boosting innovation.
- Encouraging Regional Cooperation: Strengthening trade and diplomatic ties within Africa can lessen dependence on foreign powers and create a stronger, united front in global markets.
Politics as Service Before Self
I cannot hide this from you: I was, and I remain team Kamala, for very many reasons—I am African first, and African always. I care deeply for what these results mean for African nations; in both the short and long-term. With this knowledge, I am deeply devastated by the results of this election cycle.
While I am personally disappointed, I remind myself that the core of politics and public service is about the greater good. It is about putting aside individual opinions and ambitions in favor of policies and decisions that benefit the wider society. My disappointment is less about the electoral result itself and more about the broader state of humanity and our collective responsibility to each other.
Political leaders worldwide—including those in Africa—must remember that their roles are a service to their people, not a platform for self-interest. If there is one lesson to take from this election, it’s the importance of prioritizing the needs of our citizens and building policies rooted in long-term development rather than short-term gains.
Towards an Empowered Africa
In the end, while Africa may benefit from aid in the short term, our vision should remain focused on an empowered, self-sustaining continent. The future of Africa depends on our collective ability to nurture our resources, invest in our people, and develop the infrastructures that ensure economic independence. Let the outcomes of this election serve as a call to action for Africa’s leaders, policymakers, and citizens to commit to building a resilient Africa, capable of standing strong regardless of shifts in global politics.
We must strive to build a continent where each nation can thrive on its own terms, ensuring that Africa is not merely shaped by the decisions made abroad but by the resolve and ingenuity of its people. In the end, politics and policies should serve humanity, uphold dignity, and contribute to a global community where each nation can flourish on its own merits.
Youth Connekt 2024
As I prepare to address the Youth Connekt Summit this Saturday, I am reminded of the collective power and ambition of Africa’s young leaders.
This is more than just a speaking engagement to me; it is an opportunity to unite our voices and strategies towards the Africa we envision. I invite you to join me in this journey, whether by watching the summit or engaging with the thoughts I share via my various digital platforms. Together, we can forge a path forward—rooted in resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to Africa’s progress.
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