Foreign aid has been a crucial element in shaping the economy of many African countries. With the intent to address poverty, promote sustainable development, and foster global partnerships. However, the effectiveness and impact of foreign aid on the continent have been subject to scrutiny, with questions arising about its allocation, utilization, and long-term sustainability.
Africa received its first foreign help in the form of food from the United States back in 1896. The British government provided infrastructure development aid to the less developed colonies under the terms of the Colonial Development Act of 1929. It’s important to consider if foreign aid benefits Africa in the first place. What is the intention behind it? Does assistance contribute to the reduction of poverty and hunger? Why do our civilizations still suffer from unfathomable levels of extreme poverty?.
The United Nations and its partner organizations are requesting $46.4 billion to support 180.5 million people in 72 countries. $13.9 billion is needed in the Middle East and North Africa, which is the highest amount for any area in 2024 and represents 30% of the Global Humanitarian Overview. $10.9 billion is needed for East and Southern Africa, while $8.3 billion is needed for West and Central Africa. It will cost $5.5 billion for Asia and the Pacific, $4.1 billion for Eastern Europe, and $3.6 billion for Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to a report by ONE, in 2022, 25.6% of aid was given to African countries totaling US$53.5 billion. 15.3% of aid was distributed to low-income nations, 32.5% to lower-middle-income nations, 9.2% to upper-middle-income nations, and 0.1% to high-income nations. 34.0 billion US dollars, or 15.5% of aid, went to the health sector. The humanitarian aid received was about 13.3%, or US$29.1 billion.
Critics argue that prolonged reliance on foreign aid can create a dependency syndrome, hindering countries from developing self-sustaining economies. Some African nations have struggled to diversify their revenue streams, making them vulnerable to shifts in foreign aid policies. There are concerns that foreign aid might exacerbate social and economic inequalities within recipient countries. If aid is not distributed equitably, it may benefit certain regions or groups more than others, widening existing disparities, but is that the kind of dependency Africa truly needs?.
Sudan’s crisis has escalated, resulting in a staggering increase in needs from 15.8 million people in 2023 to an alarming 30 million people in 2024. West and Central Africa face challenges as well, with 65.1 million people in need, particularly due to intensifying crises in Burkina Faso and Niger. In the Middle East and North Africa, 53.8 million people require aid, predominantly driven by the Syrian crisis affecting 32.5 million individuals. Asia and the Pacific account for 50.8 million people in need, primarily stemming from the Afghanistan crisis, while Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe report 38.9 million and 16.8 million people in need, respectively.
In response to the longest-ever drought in Somalia, Relief Web reported that the UK and Qatar supported the humanitarian consortium “Building Resilient Communities in Somalia” with $6.5 million in April 2023 as part of attempts to avert starvation. This helped over 200,000 Somalis receive primary healthcare services, including life-saving immunizations, and over 17,000 extremely malnourished children receive life-saving treatment. It also gave 7,700 households essential monetary assistance to purchase food and water.
Many African nations have benefited from foreign aid programs focused on health, relief from natural disasters and conflict, education, and capacity building. Initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education and vocational training have empowered communities and contributed to skill development.
Another humanitarian report from Relief Web also revealed that on February 6, the Japanese government agreed to provide Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya—three nations in the Horn of Africa that were severely affected by the flooding that occurred from October to December of last year—a 10-million dollar Emergency Grant Aid. The assistance was provided by international organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, and Red Cross.
The Horn of Africa is seeing an increase in humanitarian needs due to the region’s numerous wars, harsh weather, and economic shocks. It is projected that 65 million people require aid right away. Today, the EU declared that it will provide the area with an initial €171 million in humanitarian relief. This money is added to the €72 million for Sudan that has previously been announced. The funding will support humanitarian projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti. An additional €7 million will be allocated to disaster preparedness programmes across the region.
Many African nations heavily depend on foreign aid, yet studies reveal its failure in promoting sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Africa’s aid-dependent model, where official aid surpasses private capital, hampers development, necessitating reform. Foreign aid has supported the construction of essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power plants. These projects have enhanced connectivity, facilitated trade, and improved overall economic conditions. However, two sides of the aid debate exist: one sees aid as hindering economic potential, while the other attributes issues to resource misallocation, corruption, and poor governance.
Reforming foreign aid is needed. These reforms must strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area. The focus should be on fostering sustainable development by investing in sectors that promote economic growth, job creation, and self-sufficiency. This involves empowering local communities and supporting initiatives that drive long-term progress and poverty reduction in Africa.
