By Haril Kazindra, Jan 27, 2025
The sudden news that Donald Trump will suspend all foreign aid for 90 days has sent shockwaves across the world.
As a social entrepreneur from Uganda who recently gained American citizenship, I’m hoping this is the moment we have been waiting for. Could Africa’s true potential be realized and the charity sector get a much-needed overhaul? While the 90-day stop will cause short-term hardship, I’m confident it can lead to lasting, sustainable change.
A whopping $50 billion a year is distributed worldwide by the U.S – but Trump has this week slammed the brakes, pending a review of the department’s efficiency and to check the aid is consistent with his foreign policy. The news comes as part of a wider move to introduce DOGE – the Department of Government Efficiency – which will be overseen by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. His team will analyze budget spend and make recommendations for change.
It will be interesting to see how these businessmen shake things up – and I hope the outdated aid model is seriously overhauled.
Let’s be clear – significant progress has been made via aid. Life expectancy in Africa has risen from 41 to 64 years, child mortality has dropped by three quarters, and university enrolment has increased ninefold.
But despite these gains, all this money has failed to transform economies. Income per person remains a quarter of the global average, with stagnant productivity, inadequate infrastructure and millions still in poverty.
Africa’s potential is unparalleled. By 2030, half of all new entrants into the global workforce will be African. There are millions of capable, hard-working individuals who need partnerships, not donations.
Growing up as one of 18 children and having to work from age 13 to pay for my own education, I witnessed aid agencies and well-meaning Western volunteers come and go. They gave out food, opened schools, set up orphanages – but little thought was given into long-term development. Such programs created dependency and sent us a message that we needed this regular help for our daily survival, suppressing the business acumen and leadership prowess that Africa possesses.
It made me realize that Uganda – just like many countries that receive aid – doesn’t need a hand out, but investment for social and economic transformation.
After uncovering corruption, misuse of funds and even abuse at one orphanage funded by charity donations, my wife Andrea and I decided to be part of the solution. We dreamed of a model which didn’t always rely on outside support, a world where Africans were trusted to lead and grow so we didn’t have to keep going back to foreigners for more.
In 2008, Musana was born in Uganda. Years later we have seen that this method works – we have created employment for 700 full time staff across 19 social enterprises, including hospitals, schools, merchandise production units, hotels and restaurants. We are seeing communities transformed in rural Uganda. And the amazing thing? The programs are also profitable. After investment for initial start-up and build costs, we don’t need foreign donations for running costs once they are financially sustainable. In Uganda last year, our incredible businesses led by locals actually made a profit of $500,000 – this will be re-invested into further expansion and used to support the most vulnerable in the community.
Aid must prioritize building infrastructure, expanding access to education and healthcare and integrating markets in the most poor communities. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) can create economies of scale, but real progress requires attracting industry and investment that can uplift those that are vulnerable. The U.S. could play a pivotal role by encouraging policies that reduce market fragmentation, strengthening legal frameworks and creating climates where business for social good can thrive. Industry, not charity, will drive sustainable growth and job creation – this should be music to the ears of Messrs Trump and Musk.
At Musana, we’ve proven that sustainable development works. Social enterprise creates meaningful employment and changes lives along the way. Locally led, owned and run, the success speaks for itself.
Aid must have measurable outcomes tied to economic growth, not just social progress. American citizens deserve to know that their US aid dollars produce both change and enhanced social business relationships and opportunities. African governments must be incentivized to build environments where social businesses flourish and markets integrate.
I am not alone at being excited at the prospect of a reboot of how international development partnerships can work.
Just as how in The Apprentice, Mr Trump invests in his new prodigy to fund and encourage their new business venture, the U.S could be the seed corn and catalyst that unleashes a generation of African entrepreneurs to build a continent fit for the future.
Emboldened and empowered by US support and ready to work in partnership with government and business, Africa can finally be seen as a world leader, not merely a needy recipient. *Haril Kazindra is the co-founder and co-CEO of community development non-profit Musana along with wife Andrea. The couple split their time between Denver, Colorado, and Uganda. Musana employs 700 staff and impacts more than 60,000 people per year. Check out www.musana.org for more.