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Africa’s ‘Triple Dependency’ Undermines True Sovereignty – Mahama
February 6, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that Africa’s pursuit of genuine sovereignty remains severely undermined by what he described as a “triple dependency” on external actors for security, social services, and the exploitation of critical minerals.
Addressing the Parliament of Zambia on Thursday, February 5, President Mahama said many African nations continue to operate within structural constraints that limit their ability to determine independent development paths.
“Too many African countries remain trapped in what I describe as a triple dependency dependency on external actors for security choices, dependency on donors for health and education systems, and dependency on suppliers of critical minerals while capturing little or no value,” he stated.
According to the President, these dependencies continue to weaken Africa’s sovereignty and prevent the continent from fully harnessing its vast human and natural resources.
President Mahama further observed that Africa is grappling with what he termed a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential,” characterised by high youth unemployment, fragile health systems, and extractive economies that fail to build local capacity.
“Africa therefore faces a different pandemic, the pandemic of unfulfilled potential. Millions of our young people remain unemployed, health systems are fragile, and economies extract wealth without building capacity,” he noted.
He urged African leaders to confront these realities with honesty and decisive action, calling for a shift towards self-reliance, value addition, and inclusive economic growth.
President Mahama also referenced his recent engagement with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he highlighted the Accra Reset Initiative as a key proposal aimed at redefining Africa’s development trajectory.
“Only days ago, I had the opportunity to address global leaders in Davos, where I spoke about the Accra Reset Initiative and the urgent need for Africa to redefine its development trajectory,” he said.
Despite the challenges facing the continent, President Mahama expressed optimism that Africa could transform its current difficulties into an opportunity for renewal.
“History teaches us that a crisis can sharpen resolve, and so Africa must take its destiny into its own hands,” he stressed.
President Mahama is currently in Zambia on a three-day state visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations and deepening cooperation between Ghana and Zambia across key sectors.
