NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta recently made a powerful statement on the future of foreign aid and Africa’s need for self-reliance.
Speaking at the 2025 East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa, Uhuru addressed the growing concerns surrounding cuts in foreign aid, particularly those announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
His remarks underscore a critical turning point for African nations, urging them to rethink their dependence on external support.
Uhuru Kenyatta: I have seen people crying that Trump is no longer giving them money; why are you crying? It’s not your money.
Uhuru’s comments came in the wake of significant foreign aid cuts from the United States.
Highlighting the reality that such assistance may not last forever, he called on African nations to adopt more sustainable approaches to funding their programs.
“Why are you crying when it’s not your government, not your country, and you don’t pay taxes to America?” he asked, emphasizing that external support can’t be relied upon indefinitely.
He stressed the importance of finding alternative sources of funding and being more resourceful in managing what is already available.
This shift towards self-sufficiency is something that will require long-term commitment from all sectors, from government to private industry.
A significant portion of the former president’s address focused on the inefficiencies of war and its impact on Africa’s resources.
According to him, the continent’s ongoing conflicts are not just a humanitarian tragedy—they are also an economic burden.
“Remember the amount of resource we waste killing each other. We spend more to buy bullets to kill ourselves than we lose in protecting ourselves and our health,” he said.
Uhuru called for an end to the conflicts that have plagued the continent for decades, proposing a reallocation of those resources towards development programs, healthcare, and education.
With foreign aid less reliable than ever, now is the time for African nations to take charge of their own future.
By making strategic shifts in resource allocation and pursuing self-reliance, Africa can position itself as a global leader in the years to come.
