A prominent Nigerian civil rights activist and the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC) Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, has called for the need for African nations to take charge of their economic liberation rather than relying on Western intervention.
Rafsanjani described this dependence as a form of deception during the recently concluded 2024 IMF/World Bank Annual Meeting.
He emphasized that Africa possesses abundant resources and capabilities essential for positive development.
He underscored the importance of achieving sustainable development goals and advancing the African agenda through a commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
According to him, corruption significantly undermines development and restricts funding for social services, making it imperative for African leaders to combat corrupt practices effectively.
At the meeting, he urged African leaders and stakeholders to collaborate in eradicating poverty, which he characterized as “artificial poverty.”
He advocated for enhancing taxation systems to boost revenue and called for a commitment to global development frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rafsanjani also stressed the need for greater involvement of African nations in discussions and decision-making processes at the IMF and World Bank, pointing out the current lack of equitable representation.
He concluded by calling for unity among African nations to demand significant participation in their economic affairs and to address the burdensome debts that hinder economic progress, ultimately advocating for a more productive and self-sufficient Africa.