President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that Africa’s pursuit of true sovereignty is being undermined by a “triple dependency” on foreign actors for security, social services, and critical minerals.
Speaking to the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 5, Mahama said many African nations remain structurally dependent, restricting their ability to pursue independent development paths.
“Too many African countries remain trapped in what I describe as a triple dependency reliance on external actors for security, dependence on donors for health and education systems, and reliance on suppliers of critical minerals while capturing little or no value,” he said.
He warned that these dependencies weaken Africa’s sovereignty and prevent the continent from realizing its full potential. Mahama described the continent as facing a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential,” marked by high youth unemployment, fragile health systems, and economies that export wealth without building local capacity.
Mahama urged African leaders to address these challenges with honesty and practical action, promoting self-reliance, value addition, and inclusive growth.
He referenced his recent remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he highlighted the Accra Reset Initiative as a roadmap for redefining Africa’s development trajectory.
“History teaches us that a crisis can sharpen resolve, and so Africa must take its destiny into its own hands,” he said, expressing optimism that the continent can transform current challenges into opportunities for renewal.
President Mahama is on a three day state visit to Zambia aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and deepening cooperation between the two countries across key sectors.
