The sight of African leaders queuing in Beijing, Washington, or Brussels for aid summits is a "stain on our sovereignty." This was the hard-hitting message from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, where calls for financial self-reliance are growing louder.

With the US retreating into isolationism under Trump and Europe preoccupied with Ukraine, Africa is realizing it is on its own. The donor tap is running dry. The AU budget is still 60% funded by external partners—a vulnerability that compromises its political independence.

The "0.2% Levy" Solution

The solution exists: the Kaberuka Plan, which proposes a 0.2% levy on eligible imports to fund the AU. Yet, many member states have dragged their feet on implementation.

• Trade, Not Aid: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the engine of self-reliance. By trading with each other, African nations can retain value on the continent instead of exporting raw materials.
• Vaccine Independence: The COVID-19 apartheid taught a harsh lesson. Africa is now prioritizing local manufacturing of vaccines and pharmaceuticals to secure its health sovereignty.
• The Mindset Shift: "We must stop acting like victims and start acting like partners," said an AU commissioner. Self-reliance requires fiscal discipline and an end to the corruption that drains domestic resources.

The Time is Now

The global order is fracturing. Africa cannot afford to be a spectator. True independence is not just a flag; it is the ability to pay your own bills.