Has aid improved the life of Africans – is it time to stop?
In a Talking without Borders debate in Lusaka, Zambia on 21 May economist and best selling author of Dead Aid Dambisa Moyo argued that Africa must no longer depend on Western aid.
Instead she called for alternative paths to financial and democratic independence such as bond issues, trade and foreign investment – following the examples of successful new economies such as India and China.
‘Aid kills African entrepreneurship,’ she said.
Moyo talked about the dependency relationship that is perpetuated by Western governments and celebrities who reinforce negative stereotypes of Africa and Africans.
‘We need African governments to take the lead on the anti-poverty agenda and to live or die by African taxes,’ she said.
She called for a target date to be set for government and UN aid to be cut off, such as in five years time.
The debate, which was chaired by Zambian TV personality Caristo Chitamfya, included Bradford Machila, Zambia’s Minister for Livestock and Fisheries (and a Chevening alumnus). He said:
'Every forward-looking African wants to achieve economic independence for their children and grandchildren but how do we do this most effectively?'
‘Private capital is necessary but it’s not enough. We need a portfolio of private capital, local taxes and development cooperation.The Zambian Cabinet is debating how aid can reach more poor Zambians more effectively. We are not complacent about aid, especially at this time of global economic crisis.’
Among the audience of more than 250 was Zambia’s first republican president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, along with several high commissioners and ambassadors.
About Dambisa Moyo
Dambisa Moyo was born and raised in Zambia, Southern Africa. She completed a PhD in Economics at Oxford University and holds a Masters from Harvard University. She completed a bachelors degree in Chemistry and MBA in Finance at the American University in Washington D.C..
She worked at Goldman Sachs for eight years in the debt capital markets, hedge fund coverage and in global macroeconomics teams. Previously she worked at the World Bank in Washington D.C. Moyo is a member of the Board of Lundin Petroleum.
