The recent decision by the United States to freeze foreign aid programs across Africa has sent shockwaves through the continent.
In this opinion piece backed by decades of facilitating trade connections, Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express SSA, argues that this is in fact an opportunity to reimagine Africa’s role in the global economy, and move towards trade-driven prosperity.
Many Africans were caught off guard by the abrupt halt to U.S. foreign aid, stopping money flowing for wide-ranging projects like disease response. As someone who has spent over two decades facilitating trade connections across 51 African countries, I view this moment not as a crisis, but as a great opportunity for Africa to accelerate its transformation from aid dependence to trade-driven prosperity.
The US decision, particularly highlighted by reports of cuts to programmes like President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and USAID, has undoubtedly caused ripples across the continent. Countries heavily dependent on these funds, notably in critical sectors like healthcare, faced immediate difficulties in maintaining essential services. This moment, though challenging, offers an unprecedented opportunity for African nations to accelerate their journey towards economic independence and resilience.
The shift from aid to trade is not merely an economic transition; it is a fundamental reimagining of Africa’s role in the global economy. African leaders should take advantage of the dismantling of USAID to propose new partnerships made up of direct investment and fairer trade. Consider the agricultural sector, where DHL Express has been instrumental in connecting local farmers with international markets.
In Kenya, we have seen how smallholder farmers, when provided with reliable logistics infrastructure, can transform from subsistence producers to competitive exporters. This model demonstrates that with the right trade facilitation mechanisms, Africa can leverage its abundant resources and human capital to create lasting economic value.
Africa’s intra-continental trade has grown significantly, and initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have created a $3.4 trillion economic bloc. This represents the largest trading bloc by country membership since the formation of the World Trade Organization. Such developments underscore that Africa’s economic future lies not in external aid, but in internal trade integration and global market participation.
The case for shifting from aid to trade is not new, but its urgency has never been greater.
Aid, by its very nature, can be unpredictable and influenced by the political and economic whims of donor countries. On the other hand, trade empowers, creates sustainable wealth, and builds authentic partnerships based on mutual benefit and respect. It enables Africa to harness its vast resources, growing youth population, and increasing entrepreneurial spirit to generate value, instead of merely receiving it.
Africa’s economic landscape is already experiencing profound change. Despite global challenges and recent aid reductions, the African Development Bank (AfDB) forecasts overall growth across the continent to surpass 2024 figures, with 21 African nations expected to achieve over 5% growth in 2025. This resilience demonstrates the continent’s inherent potential and the momentum behind intra-African trade initiatives.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the clear cornerstone of this new era. This agreement is not just about moving goods; it is about fostering industrialisation, diversifying economies away from reliance on commodities, and creating millions of higher-paying jobs, with women set to be significant beneficiaries.
-Hennie Heymans
Beyond the AfCFTA, there is a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and investment emerging across Africa. The tech sector is thriving, with fintech, e-commerce, and healthtech startups transforming services and attracting substantial capital. Renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure projects offer immense investment opportunities, driven by both local and international interest. This is a continent full of solutions, where local entrepreneurs address local challenges with ingenuity and determination.
For Africa to truly flourish in a “trade, not aid” reality, several key areas require our collective attention:
- •African governments must intensify efforts to fight corruption and ensure efficient use of public funds.
- •Investing in Infrastructure and Logistics because effective trade depends on solid infrastructure: Continued investment in roads, railways, ports, and digital connectivity is critical to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services across borders, lowering transaction costs and boosting competitiveness.
- •Developing a skilled workforce as the driving force of a trade-driven economy: Focusing on education, vocational training, and skills development — especially for the continent’s fast-growing youth — is essential to meet industry demands and foster innovation.
- •Creating an Enabling Business Environment by simplifying regulations, maintaining judicial independence, and protecting intellectual property rights. The AfCFTA framework for investment protection is a positive step forward.
- •Harnessing Technology and Innovation and promoting a culture of innovation, supporting tech startups, and integrating digital tools across sectors will be key to unlocking new trade opportunities and enhancing efficiency.
The recent changes in global aid policies are not a rejection; they are a compelling call to action. They compel us to face uncomfortable truths about dependence and to speed up our collective pursuit of economic self-reliance.
Africa possesses the resources, talent, and ambition to build a prosperous future driven by trade and investment. By adopting this mindset, fostering regional integration, and making strategic investments, we can ensure Africa’s story continues to evolve powerfully – from a continent seeking aid to a continent leading trade and shaping its destiny on the world stage. The moment for “Africa Thriving” is now.
Hennie Heymans is the CEO of DHL Express SSA.
*The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of The Kenyan Wall Street.
