Illustration ; /PHOTO ; courtesy
Self-reliance has long been recognised as a foundational pillar of sustainable development, particularly for societies striving to overcome historical injustices and craft futures grounded in dignity and autonomy.
Across Africa, few concepts embody this principle more profoundly than Harambee, Kenya’s rallying call urging people to “all pull together” in the service of collective progress.
Although Harambee once energised communities toward nation-building and shared sacrifice, its meaning has gradually shifted toward consumption-driven practices that often overshadow long-term economic transformation.
As global aid continues to wane and economic pressures intensify, the case for reclaiming and strengthening self-reliance becomes increasingly compelling.
When Jomo Kenyatta introduced the idea of Harambee at independence, it symbolised a unified determination to change lives after decades under colonial rule.
The term’s adoption as Kenya’s national motto and its prominent place on the coat of arms underscored a belief in unity, shared responsibility, and the power of locally mobilised resources.
Communities routinely gathered funds and labour for development projects, demonstrating that fundamental transformation could emerge from within.
However, over time, this spirit shifted.
Rather than serving as a vehicle for economic advancement, Harambee increasingly became associated with meeting immediate needs such as medical bills, school fees, marriages, and “dignified burials.”
While these functions remain socially necessary, their dominance has meant that fewer resources are channelled toward long-term ventures capable of generating employment and stimulating structural change.
This shift is particularly consequential today as international donors reduce funding or redirect their priorities.
The development context has changed significantly, creating an urgent need to moderate current practices that emphasise social services at the expense of rural industrialisation.
Africa is now better positioned than ever to enter the manufacturing and agricultural value-added sectors, especially as global demographics and supply-chain dynamics open up new markets.
The continent’s young and rapidly growing population presents an unprecedented labour advantage.
If strategically supported, African youth can help manufacture goods for both local and international markets.
The growing diaspora community, hungry for authentic African products, offers an additional incentive for value-added production.
For instance, Ghana’s cocoa processing initiatives demonstrate the power of local collective investment to create industries rooted in self-reliance.
Yet tapping into these opportunities requires a fundamental rethinking of how communities use their resources.
Much of the money that circulates locally is channelled into consumption-heavy undertakings such as constructing religious sanctuaries, organising elaborate ceremonies, and sustaining routine charitable contributions.
While religion and cultural rites remain integral to society, these activities often absorb vast resources without generating long-term economic returns.
In some cases, religious institutions impose high tithes or promote fear-based narratives that push worshippers to contribute even more, diverting funds that could instead support ventures such as vegetable processing plants or small manufacturing units.
The construction of multiple sanctuaries in the same community, a result of internal divisions or competition, further fragments available resources and diminishes opportunities for collaborative growth.
Funerals, though essential cultural expressions of solidarity, have also become increasingly costly.
Families often feel compelled to host large gatherings, offer extensive hospitality, and organise elaborate ceremonies.
Communal contributions frequently cover these expenses, but even though they come from a spirit of support, they ultimately deplete funds that could otherwise be used to fuel productive investments.
Reimagining these practices does not mean abandoning tradition; instead, it involves striking a balance between cultural obligations and economic foresight.
Redirecting even a portion of the resources currently devoted to costly ceremonies toward local enterprises could significantly strengthen community resilience, generate employment, and create sustainable revenue streams.
A transition toward self-reliant development hinges not only on resource allocation but also on trust.
Building trust is fundamental to the mindset shift needed to revive Harambee as a vehicle for economic transformation.
Trust encourages transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation.
When people are confident that their contributions will be responsibly managed and distributed, they are more likely to participate in collective ventures.
Strong governance structures, clear reporting systems, and shared decision-making processes can reinforce this confidence.
Examples from community water projects in East Africa and cooperative farming initiatives in Ethiopia illustrate how trust-based systems lead to sustained success and broader social buy-in.
The financial ecosystems already present across Africa also offer fertile ground for strengthening self-reliance.
Savings groups, cooperatives, and rotating credit systems, rooted in longstanding traditions of mutual aid, provide natural platforms for mobilising capital.
These systems align seamlessly with the Harambee ethos, demonstrating that communities already possess the cultural foundation needed for economic collaboration.
When such groups partner with local entrepreneurs or tap into diaspora networks, the potential for scaling economic projects increases dramatically.
For instance, cooperative-owned dairy plants in Ethiopia, banana wine enterprises in Uganda, and cassava processing groups in Nigeria show how collective action can translate into powerful engines of local development.
These models not only create jobs but also build technical skills and strengthen community cohesion.
Reviving the original meaning of Harambee also calls for a renewed focus on projects that address pressing local needs.
Agro-processing plants, textile workshops, small-scale manufacturing units, and storage facilities can drastically reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food security, and spur rural industrialisation.
Many communities have long assumed that such ventures require donor support, yet local resource mobilisation, when efficiently organised, can yield impressive results.
A small food-drying factory, for example, can both reduce waste and create employment while also catalysing related industries such as packaging, distribution, and retail.
With clear vision and sustained collective effort, these locally driven initiatives can reposition African communities as producers rather than perpetual consumers.
Self-reliance is more than an economic strategy; it is a cultural renewal and a reclaiming of Africa’s long-standing traditions of collaboration, ingenuity, and shared responsibility.
Revitalising the true spirit of Harambee offers a path toward sustainable, community-driven development that is resilient to the instability of external aid.
African communities can unlock immense potential by limiting consumption-heavy activities, building trust, redirecting local resources, and prioritising productive projects.
As the global landscape shifts, the continent’s future depends on its ability to harness the collective strength of its people. Re-embracing self-reliance is not merely an option; it is a necessity.
It is an imperative for building a prosperous, independent, and enduring future.
