The annual Babacar Ndiaye Lecture, held in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, focused this year on how Africa can leverage global capital for its development.Through a series of discussions and presentations, economists and key figures emphasized the importance for Africa to take charge of its own destiny by building strong and resilient institutions capable of driving sustainable growth.autonomes.
In Washington, the Babacar Ndiaye Lecture, hosted by Afreximbank, issued a powerful call to rethink Africa’s development, emphasizing the need to leverage both the continent’s resources and global capital. The discussion came at a pivotal moment, amid geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and climate challenges. For participants, one clear message emerged: Africa must reinforce its autonomy by building strong, independent, and self-sustaining institutions.
This theme reflects the need to build strong institutions that can advance Africa’s agenda. It is not simply an aspiration, it is a call to action, reminding us that the future of Africa depends on creating institutions that serve our values and our needs, and that stand in solidarity with us when the world becomes uncertain.
George Elombi, President of Afreximbank
It is no longer enough to simply aspire to change; the focus must now be on making it a reality through a robust institutional framework grounded in Africa’s own context. This means establishing institutions that can defend the continent’s interests, carry a long-term vision, and play a stabilizing role in an ever more unpredictable world.
We need a new generation of institutions in Africa. We must rise to a higher level. The goal is economic transformation, creating decent jobs for our people and achieving Africa’s full economic sovereignty. We must break the cycle of aid and debt, and fully participate in global trade, investment, and higher-value supply chains.
Donald Kaberuka, Chairman and Partner, SouthBridge
Africa has reached a critical turning point: it can no longer be satisfied with simply surviving in the global economy. Iit must assert itself as a transformative force. Over the years, the Babacar Ndiaye Lecture has become a key strategic forum, where African leaders and thinkers shape a new development narrative, grounded in resilience, economic self-determination, and confidence in the continent’s own talent and potential.
