President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on African countries to stop depending too much on foreign systems and instead work together to build a self-reliant continent.
It is Nandi-Ndaitwah’s fervent position that Africa’s future can only be secured through unity, cooperation, and investment in its own people.
She made the remarks yesterday during her Africa Day message, where she addressed growing global challenges, including economic pressure, climate change, disease outbreaks and geopolitical tensions.
In her message, the president said the most important lesson Africa must remember is that “Africa needs Africa”, especially at a time when many developing nations are struggling under global economic uncertainty. She said African countries must focus on finding African solutions to African problems.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Africa possesses rich natural resources, a young population and strong human potential, but warned that the continent will remain vulnerable if it continues to rely heavily on external support and foreign markets.
“As Africans, we must continue to look within for African solutions to African challenges,” she said.
She also linked her message to the history of Africa Day, which commemorates the formation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
She said the founding leaders of Africa understood that no African country could fully enjoy freedom while others remained under colonial rule.
She quoted Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who declared during Ghana’s independence in 1957 that the freedom of his country would be meaningless unless the entire African continent was liberated.
The president furthermore said Africa now faces new forms of pressure, including global conflicts, climate-related disasters, economic disruptions, and public health threats. These challenges, she said, have exposed the weakness of countries that depend too much on outside assistance.
She urged African governments to strengthen regional cooperation, increase trade between African countries and invest more in local innovation and institutions.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as one of the continent’s biggest opportunities for economic growth. She said stronger trade relations within Africa can help countries reduce dependence on foreign markets while creating jobs and improving local industries.
Another major issue raised by the president was water and sanitation, which formed part of this year’s Africa Day theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
She described clean water and sanitation as essential for public health, education, food security and economic development. Without these services, she said, Africa cannot achieve meaningful progress.
The president further warned that the current Ebola outbreak in some parts of Africa should remind governments about the importance of strong healthcare systems and coordinated responses across the continent.
In Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah said government remains committed to improving access to clean water and sanitation under the country’s NDP6. However, she stressed that government alone cannot protect water resources without support from communities, businesses and citizens.
She called on Africans to protect the environment and preserve natural resources for future generations.