Africa Must Own Its Development Narrative - Benedicta Lasi Esq.

The Chair of The African Governance Centre noted that projects such as Addis Ababa's Riverside Development demonstrates that national progress should not be measured solely by physical infrastructure but also by the quality of life and well-being of citizens and also speaks to the fact that ''development is not only about roads, hospitals and physical infrastructure. It is also about building livable societies and communities that support people's well-being and livelihoods''.

During her stay, her observations come at a time where many African countries are pursuing ambitious urban development agendas, yet one of the recurring challenges across the continent remains the tendency for long-term projects to be disrupted by political transitions.

According to Ms. Lasi, Ethiopia highlights the value of having a clear national vision that can sustain transformative projects over time. She emphasized that meaningful development requires not only investment and planning, but also continuity, leadership and a commitment to place citizens at the center of developments.

Beyond infrastructure, she also call on Africans to take ownership of their own stories. While challenges across the continent are real and must be addressed, Africa's progress, innovation and success stories deserve greater visibility.

As Africa continues to pursue economic transformation, Ethiopia's experience reminds us that development is most impactful when it improves the everyday lives of people, preserves identity and creates communities where citizens can thrive.

Read the full breakdown of the conversation here: https://tinyurl.com/ynm2t87k