Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on African governments to pursue long-term development plans that outlast political cycles, arguing that the continent already has the resources and talent needed to become a First World economy.
Speaking at the Infra for Africa Forum and the Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Kindiki said Africa’s biggest challenge is no longer a lack of potential but the ability to maintain steady policies and attract investment over many years.
Representing President William Ruto, Kindiki urged African leaders to believe in the continent’s capacity to shape its own future rather than treating development as an impossible ambition.
“Africa needs to build confidence in itself. As Africans, we must learn to have confidence in our continent and in our capability to do what others have been able to do,” he said.
He said Africa remains rich in natural resources and has one of the world’s youngest populations, yet many countries continue to struggle with infrastructure gaps, unemployment and slow industrial growth.
Kindiki pointed to Kenya’s recent efforts to finance major infrastructure projects through a newly established Infrastructure Fund. He said the government plans to raise money by selling part of its holdings in selected state-owned companies through the stock market before encouraging additional private investment.
“In Kenya, we have just put in place an Infrastructure Fund where we are mobilising resources from the stock market by selling part of the stakes in government-owned entities and using the capital to crowd investment by the private sector,” he said.
The Deputy President argued that infrastructure projects should improve the lives of ordinary citizens rather than exist only as symbols of economic progress.
“We need to have the people with us. We must carry the people along; women, young people, rural and urban poor. It is not enough to build roads, railways, seaports, harbours and gas pipelines. It is important to ensure the people travel the development journey with us,” he said.
Kindiki also warned that frequent policy changes following elections can discourage investors and slow down development. While democratic transitions are essential, he said governments should protect long-term national projects from political shifts.
“The biggest threat to Africa’s development today is policy disruption, which is an unintended consequence of democracy. The movement from one administration to another is a good thing but we must find ways of insulating our development agenda from democratic transitions so that we can have continuity in development,” he said.
He further called for stronger cooperation among African nations, saying governments should work together to lower borrowing costs, reduce investment risks and finance large infrastructure projects that individual countries may struggle to deliver alone.
The forum brought together African heads of state, policymakers, investors and development partners to discuss ways of financing roads, railways, ports, energy projects and other critical infrastructure across the continent.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivered the keynote address. Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and other regional leaders also attended the meeting.
Kindiki’s remarks come as many African governments seek new sources of funding for infrastructure amid rising debt levels and tighter global financial conditions. Across the continent, leaders are increasingly looking to public-private partnerships and domestic capital markets to bridge financing gaps while sustaining economic growth.
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