When the World Builds Wealth, Africa’s Leaders Build Excuses

An iNewsAfrica Op-Ed by Dr. Michael Omoruyi

While other world leaders are busy growing their economies, strengthening institutions, and preparing their nations for the future, too many African leaders appear to be doing the opposite. At a time when global leadership is defined by economic foresight and disciplined governance, Africa’s political class remains trapped in cycles of self-interest, short-term thinking, and misplaced priorities.

Across Asia, Europe, and parts of the Americas, governments are investing aggressively in technology, education, infrastructure, and productivity. They speak in clear economic terms—jobs, exports, innovation, competitiveness, and value creation. Progress is measured by improved living standards and economic resilience.

In much of Africa, however, leadership is measured by longevity in office.

Leadership Without Economic Vision

Africa is not lacking in natural resources, human capital, or entrepreneurial energy. What it lacks is leadership with the courage and competence to turn potential into prosperity. Instead of enabling businesses, many governments suffocate them with unstable policies, excessive taxation, weak infrastructure, and corruption-driven regulation.

Public funds that should power industries, modernize agriculture, or expand digital infrastructure are often diverted into private wealth or wasted on politically motivated projects with little economic impact. While other regions attract investors with clarity and consistency, Africa repels them with uncertainty, insecurity, and policy reversals.

This persistent dependence on exporting raw materials—only to import finished goods at higher costs—reflects not fate, but failure. It is the outcome of leaders who have refused to prioritize industrialization and value addition.

Politics Over People

In many African countries, elections focus more on ethnic loyalties, propaganda, and power retention than on economic strategy. Leaders campaign endlessly but govern reluctantly. National budgets are bloated with political appointments, perks, and recurrent expenses, while education, healthcare, innovation, and research remain underfunded.

When economies struggle, accountability is absent. Colonial history, global forces, or foreign conspiracies are often blamed. Yet nations with similar historical experiences—and far fewer resources—have progressed because they chose discipline, reform, and competent leadership.

The Heavy Price of Economic Neglect

The cost of this failure is visible everywhere: mass youth unemployment, rising poverty, insecurity, and unprecedented brain drain. Africa’s young population—its greatest strategic advantage—is increasingly forced to look elsewhere for opportunity. Their migration is not rebellion; it is an economic indictment.

As other world leaders prepare their economies for artificial intelligence, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, Africa remains entangled in basic governance crises. The continent should be shaping the future; instead, it is struggling to fix problems that should have been resolved decades ago.

A Choice Africa Must Make

Africa’s challenge is not destiny—it is leadership choice. With visionary and accountable leadership, the continent can convert its population into a demographic dividend, its resources into sustainable wealth, and its markets into engines of global growth.

What Africa needs now are leaders who see power as responsibility, not entitlement; leadership as service, not survival. Until that shift occurs, Africa will continue to fall behind while the rest of the world moves forward.

Africa does not need louder speeches.
It needs leaders who know how to build economies.

About the Author
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a technologist, educator, author, and socio-economic commentator. He is the founder of iNewsAfrica and a strong advocate for accountable governance, digital transformation, and African-led development. Dr. Omoruyi writes extensively on leadership, economic reform, and the future of Africa and its global diaspora.

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