Africa Doesn't Need Aid to Develop – UN Envoy
August 2, 2026Jimoh Ibrahim. Credit: Jimoh Ibrahim/x. Africa is a rich continent that does not require aid from other continents to develop, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to theUnited Nationshas said, as. . .
August 2, 2026Jimoh Ibrahim. Credit: Jimoh Ibrahim/x. Africa is a rich continent that does not require aid from other continents to develop, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to theUnited Nationshas said, as he criticised perceptions of Africa as a beggarly continent. Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim made the remarks at a reception in New York honouring Ahunna Eziakonwa, who was appointed Senior Adviser on Africa to UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres. “Africa consists of 25 per cent of the world population. The future of the world is in Africa. That’s something to talk about,” Jimoh said. Read MoreAfrica Bets on Food to Attract Tourists“I will not be part of the people that are talking about aid to Africa. Africais made up of sovereign nations; we are independent, and we cannot afford to trade our sovereignty for aid. ”According to the Nigerian diplomat, what Africa needs is trade, collaboration, cooperation and partnership. António Guterres and Jimoh Ibrahim. Credit: The Cable“I must thankPresident Donald Trumpfor initiating trade and investment as replacements for aid. Fantastic programme, so that we can actually capture the essence of our sovereignty and independence,” Jimoh said. “I won’t be here to plead for any aid to any African country. We don’t need it. We need collaboration and cooperation and partnership towards human and material development. ”Read MoreAfrica Pushes to Turn Cotton Into ClothingHowever, Africa’s participation in the US government’s “Trade over Aid” programme remains noticeably low. Of the nearly four dozen signatories, only six African nations have joined the scheme. The Nigerian envoy also expressed concern over Africa’s absence from the permanent seats of the UN Security Council. “Africa doesn’t have a permanent seat, and Africa is about 25 per cent of the entire world population. If you talk about insecurity, maybe because Africa is not on the permanent seat of the United Nations,” he said. Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities. Share the StoryAhunna EziakonwaJimoh Ibrahimunited nations