African Agency Quotes

You have to realize that up until about 1959, Africa was dominated by the colonial powers. And by the colonial powers of Europe having complete control over Africa, they projected Africa always in a negative light - jungles, savages, cannibals, nothing civilized.

Africans… their tired. They’re tired of being the subject of everybody’s charity and care. We are grateful, but we know that we can take charge of our own destinies if we have the will to reform.

If I were not African, I wonder whether it would be clear to me that Africa is a place where the people do not need limp gifts of fish but sturdy fishing rods and fair access to the pond. I wonder whether I would realize that while African nations have a failure of leadership, they also have dynamic people with agency and voices.

Africa should not just wait to be exploited or influenced. No. We should be part of the conversation. We should raise ourselves to a level where there are certain terms we dictate in the conversation because we have a lot to offer.

Nobody can come and develop Africa on behalf of Africans.

Africans must stand up for themselves and that the strategies and tactics of the struggle should be determined by the African people themselves, and not by others.

It is my firm belief that action on the issues that matter for Africa must emerge from within Africa itself.

Our continent must be allowed to do its own things, charting its course and destiny.

I don't subscribe to the narrative that Africa is backward because of colonialism.

Africa has decided to take matters of instability into its own hands.

I believe in supporting African solutions to African problems.