In a powerful interview with The Bottom Line, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, former African Union Ambassador to the U.S., shed light on the continued underdevelopment of Africa, attributing it to the lingering grip of colonial powers.

Dr. Chihombori-Quao argued that while Africa is rich in natural resources, much of the wealth is still extracted by foreign powers, leaving Africans with little to no benefit. She emphasized that colonial-era systems of economic control and political interference remain intact, hindering the continent’s progress.

“The problem isn’t Africa’s lack of resources,” she stated, “it’s the ongoing exploitation that prevents those resources from benefiting the people.”

Her message was clear: for Africa to thrive, it must reclaim control of its wealth and break free from external dependency.