Review Africa’s priorities for true economic independence

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African nations have been pursuing economic independence for decades, however, many are still facing fragile savings, high unemployment and external financial dependence.

While sectors such as health and education remain critical, the path to true self -confidence requires a fundamental change in priorities for agriculture, manufacture and enterprise.

African nations require these three pillars as a basis for sustainable economic transformation, which allows them to decrease imports, create jobs and establish economically resistant nations.

Most African governments dedicate significant public funding for health and education, as they are trained by the policies developed by the donor agencies.

The implementation of educational and healthcare programs as the main national priorities generates a contradictory result, because it creates well -educated populations, without sufficient employment opportunities.

Countries like Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa produce thousands of graduates annually, but unemployment remains difficult.

Currently, medical assistance systems are facing financial challenges due to economic inefficiencies.

A weak economy means insufficient financial resources necessary for the development of strong health institutions.

Any social program intended to help people finally fail, unless society develops sufficient economic force to support them.

Agriculture continues to function as a fundamental economic foundation of Africa, because it offers a job at over 45 % of its population.

The industry has many problems, including low agricultural productivity, which depends a lot on rainfall agriculture and adds a low economic value to its products.

While countries such as Ethiopia and Ghana have made progress in agro-processing, the continent largely exports raw materials, lacking the benefit of value added production.

By implementing large -scale agricultural irrigation systems and investments in the field of research -based agroindustria, Africa can optimize her food security and generate jobs while increasing export opportunities.

The ability of an entire continent to fulfill their food requirements without import creates economic benefits by reducing annual billions of dollars from African economies.

Africa addiction to imported goods is a major economic delay. Most of the products consumed, from essential articles for domestic use to high quality technology, are imported, which leads to commercial imbalances and currency depreciation.

The continent must build a strong production industry that will allow them to produce their own goods instead of continuing with imports.

Countries like Rwanda and Egypt have proven that strategic policy decisions can promote local production.

The Made in Rwanda initiative has contributed to decreasing imports by promoting the production of textile and construction materials in the country.

Precise measures of national governments should include programs to support internal industries, simplified bureaucracy and investments in the Industrial Park.

African producers can use the area of ​​free continental African exchange to extend their operations by obtaining access to several customers on the continent.

A single African market will support industrial expansion, which leads to a reduced external dependence in the operations of the supply chain.

The economic expansion of Africa depends on entrepreneurship, but local businesses encounter multiple challenges that block their success, including access to restricted funding, steep tax rates and poor infrastructure.

Enterprises need governments to establish conditions that allow them success. The potential of a technology -based enterprise remains very high due to its unique features.

The Kenya Fintech ecosystem continues to prosper, because innovation acts as an engine that allows economic growth within the nation.

The scale of projects to start technology requires government support through low regulations, extended digital infrastructure and more investments from private enterprises.

In order to achieve true economic independence, African decision makers must: first, reallocate resources to economic factors. Governments should channel more funds in agriculture, manufacture and entrepreneurship instead of overrising health and education.

Secondly, implement proindustrialization policies. African nations should provide fiscal incentives for local industries, protect the industries born against unjust foreign competition and promote local content policies. Third, he invests in agricultural transformation.

Large mechanization, irrigation systems and agro-processing industries should be priority to create value chains that benefit from local farmers. Fourth, strengthens the mechanisms of support of the company.

Governments must facilitate access to credit, reduce business registration costs and invest in digital infrastructure to empower startups.

And finally, make regional commercial contracts. AFCFTA has an opportunity for Africa to build self-support industries and reduce dependence on western and Asian markets.

The sustainable growth of Africa depends on the generation of internal wealth, because it leads to lasting economic success.

A strong basis for agricultural production must support health and education services, while the development and manufacture of enterprises create the basis for financial sustainability.

Focusing on these pillars, African nations can make their savings independent of external sources, while generating sustainable employment opportunities in their future. The time to rethink the economic priorities of Africa is now.

The path before is clear-a-a-a-a-a-a-auctance on the match through production, innovation and industrialization. Only then can Africa get true financial independence.

Jamlic Munyasya is economist and business consultant