WHAT MUST IMPROVE TO TRULY BENEFIT AFRICA AND ORRECT HISTORICAL INEQUITIES
United Nations Day, observed on October 24, serves as an opportunity to reflect on the global role of the UN. While the organization has made significant contributions to Africa’s development, it has also been marked by marginalization, exclusion, and policies that hinder rather than empower the continent. To build a partnership that benefits Africa equitably, it is essential to address how Africa has been disadvantaged on the global stage and outline the reforms necessary to reverse these injustices.
Structural exclusion from global decision-making
Despite being central to many global peace and security challenges, Africa lacks a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, limiting its ability to influence crucial decisions. The absence of African representation in one of the world’s most powerful bodies perpetuates a historical imbalance that leaves the continent with little say over policies that affect its future.
Impact: African nations are often at the receiving end of military interventions and sanctions driven by the strategic interests of external powers, rather than solutions aligned with local needs.
- Aid policies that perpetuate dependency
Although UN programs have provided humanitarian relief, many initiatives reinforce dependency instead of fostering self-sufficiency. Often, development aid is structured to align with donor priorities rather than the needs of African nations, creating a cycle of reliance.
Impact: Governments find it difficult to implement long-term development policies, as aid programs impose external conditions that limit local agency and innovation. Instead of empowering African economies, these programs constrain their ability to become self-reliant.
- Unfavorable economic policies
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, operating under the UN’s framework, often attach strict austerity measures to financial assistance packages. These conditions force African countries to cut essential public services, privatize key sectors, and open their markets prematurely, leaving their economies vulnerable.
Impact: These policies hinder inclusive growth by increasing unemployment, reducing access to healthcare and education, and deepening socio-economic inequalities. African nations are left struggling to balance development goals with fiscal constraints.
- Reactive peacekeeping missions with limited impact
While the UN has deployed peacekeeping missions to conflict zones across Africa, these interventions are often reactive and short-sighted. Peacekeeping operations prioritize international agendas over long-term conflict resolution strategies designed by African stakeholders.
Impact: Many missions fail to address the root causes of conflict, leading to prolonged instability. Instead of promoting sustainable peace, they create temporary solutions that do not empower local actors to maintain order and security.
- Marginalization of regional organizations and local leadership
The UN has not fully embraced regional African organizations, such as the African Union (AU) and regional economic communities (RECs), as equal partners. Frequently, international solutions are imposed without recognizing or integrating efforts already underway at the local level.
Impact: This sidelining of African institutions weakens national sovereignty and undermines regional frameworks aimed at fostering self-governance and resilience.
- Inequitable access to climate financing
Despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, Africa faces some of the most severe impacts of climate change. However, access to international climate funds remains limited, and cumbersome bureaucratic processesprevent many African countries from securing timely support for adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Impact: Without adequate financing, African countries are left more vulnerable to natural disasters and food insecurity, forcing them to rely on external aid rather than building climate resilience.
- Erasure of Africa’s global contributions
The UN and other global institutions often fail to acknowledge Africa’s historical and cultural contributions. Narratives that portray Africa as dependent or underdeveloped perpetuate stereotypes and obscure the continent’s economic and social achievements.
- Impact: This invisibility diminishes Africa’s standing in global affairs, framing the continent as a passive recipient of aid rather than a strategic partner with valuable insights and resources.
Fostering knowledge, empowerment, and inclusion
For the UN to support Africa meaningfully, it must adopt a pedagogical approach that emphasizes capacity-building, empowerment, and knowledge exchange. This requires moving beyond charity-based interventions to foster sustainable growth and learning through collaboration with African institutions, scholars, and civil society.
Education and youth empowerment: The UN must invest in education systems that prepare Africa’s youth for leadership roles. Programs should focus on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation to tap into the continent’s demographic dividend.
Strengthening regional institutions: Building capacity within the AU and other regional bodies will enable Africa to take ownership of its development. The UN must act as a partner, not a gatekeeper, in these efforts.
Promoting cultural exchange: Highlighting Africa’s contributions to global knowledge and culture will reshape perceptions and elevate the continent’s role on the world stage.
Toward equity and empowerment
For Africa to fully benefit from the UN framework, several key reforms are essential:
Permanent seat on the security council: Africa must have a permanent seat with veto power to influence global security decisions.
Inclusive development models: Aid programs must shift from conditional assistance to partnerships based on mutual respect and local priorities.
Access to climate financing: Streamlining the application process for climate funds will ensure African countries can address environmental challenges more effectively.
Strengthening regional collaboration: The UN must defer to African-led solutions in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts.
A more just and effective UN for Africa
The future of the UN in Africa depends on its ability to rectify historical injustices and embrace a new partnership rooted in equality and mutual respect. Africa is not a continent in need of saving but a critical partner in shaping the future of global peace and prosperity. Only through a redistribution of power, increased autonomy, and fair access to resources can the UN live up to its ideals of promoting peace, dignity, and development for all.
By acknowledging Africa’s challenges and contributions, the UN can rebuild trust and foster a genuine partnership—one that allows the continent to chart its own course toward sustainable growth and lasting prosperity.