Building prosperity from within

Africa is at a crucial point in its history. Its destiny will be formed as much by what happens inside the continent as by what happens outside of it.

Many people are worried about recent changes, such as President Trump’s cuts to aid and the European Union’s increase in military spending.

But these changes also give us a rare chance. For many years, African development has been affected by donors’ changing objectives, leaving the continent vulnerable to decisions made elsewhere.

But now it can look inside itself and figure out what really makes it strong and able to move forward.

An African  saying that captures this moment perfectly:

“When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.”

Africa’s roots lie in its cultures, its land, its creative people, and its far-reaching diaspora, and they run deep.

These are not shallow or fragile foundations. They are sources of enduring strength, capable of anchoring a prosperous future that does not rise or fall on donor decisions.

To understand what becomes possible when a people embrace their roots, one need only look at the culinary journeys of Italy and Ethiopia.

Their stories, though emerging from different histories and geographies, reveal a common truth: cultural heritage, when nurtured and shared with confidence, becomes a powerful driver of global influence and economic opportunity.

Italy’s global culinary footprint began with migration.

As millions of Italians left home in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they brought their food culture along with them, not as a deliberate export strategy, but as part of their identity.

In the neighbourhoods of New York, Buenos Aires, and Melbourne, Italian migrants opened restaurants, adapted recipes to local ingredients, and introduced their flavours to new communities.

Over time, Italian cuisine took root worldwide, slowly becoming one of the globe’s most beloved food traditions.

Today, the value of Italian food goes beyond taste; it is an economic force generating 251 billion euros annually, with pizza, pasta, olive oil, and the Mediterranean diet woven into daily life across continents.

What Italy achieved unintentionally at first is now a deliberate national asset. Its cuisine tells the story of a people whose cultural roots remained strong even when they crossed oceans.

It is proof that identity, when carried with confidence, becomes capital.

Ethiopia, in its own way, mirrors this story, offering Africa a homegrown blueprint.

Like the Italians, Ethiopian migrants have spread their cuisine across the world, from Washington, D.C., to London and from the Middle East to Asia.

The unique tang of injera, the warmth of wats, and the aroma of berbere captured the imagination of global diners.

Ethiopian restaurants became centres of cultural exchange, introducing the world not just to food but to history, hospitality, and tradition.

Through media, food festivals, and the rise of culinary stars, Ethiopian cuisine gained international recognition.

UNESCO’s acknowledgement of Ethiopia’s culinary heritage further cemented its global profile.

Even Ethiopian Airlines turned food into soft power, proudly serving Ethiopian dishes in the skies as part of its identity.

Ethiopia’s success did not emerge from diaspora energy alone; it was nurtured by policy.

Through the “Yellow Card,” investment incentives, and programs designed to welcome diaspora investment and skill transfer, the Ethiopian government transformed its global community from observers into participants in national development.

Combined with agricultural strides that turned Ethiopia from a wheat importer into a net wheat exporter, the country showed what is possible when deep roots are watered intentionally.

Italy and Ethiopia together remind us that culture is not ornamental. It is economic. It is not a relic of the past, but a bridge to global markets.

Their success stories illustrate how people, when grounded in their identity, can transform local traditions into international opportunities.

And they show that diaspora communities, when engaged and empowered, become ambassadors who open the world to their homelands.

These lessons matter now more than ever. Africa is at an inflection point. The winds of global aid may be shifting, but strong roots keep us steady.

Rather than fearing the decline of external assistance, the continent can use this moment to elevate its internal strengths.

Africa can process its minerals locally rather than exporting raw materials. It can deepen agricultural capability and turn food cultures into global brands rather than imitating foreign tastes.

It can empower its diaspora as investors, innovators, and cultural ambassadors. It can build industries that reflect its identity rather than merely respond to others’ needs.

Just as Middle Eastern countries used the challenges of the 1990s Gulf War to diversify their economies and build new futures, Africa, too, can use this moment to pivot.

The continent is rich in resources, youthful talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural heritage. Its diaspora is vast and influential.

Its creative industries, from music to fashion to cuisine, already capture global interest. These are not weaknesses in need of rescue; they are strengths waiting to be organised.

Africa does not need to be afraid. Its roots are deep. Italian resilience and Ethiopian innovation show that culture, identity, and diaspora connections can produce remarkable, global-scale success. Africa has all of this in abundance.

The winds may blow, but when the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. Africa’s roots are deep. Its strength is ancient.

Its potential is immense. And this moment, this supposed crisis, is in fact the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter written not by donors, but by Africans, grounded in what they have, who they are, and what they can become.

The world has tasted the resilience of Italy and Ethiopia. Africa can now rise with the same confidence that is rooted, steady, and ready for the future.