Like many, I have people close to me who are directly impacted by the decision to shut down USAID operations. One such person is my sister-in-love. When I checked in on her last week, I expected to hear uncertainty, anxiety, or even remorse. Instead, I was met with something entirely different, a sense of opportunity. She wasn’t gripped by fear or weighed down by the uncertainty of losing her job. She saw possibilities. Where many would be trapped in a tunnel of despair, unable to see the light as the reality of lost income sets in, she chose a different perspective. She saw this as a chance to explore new paths, build something meaningful, and take control of her future. Her response made me reflect: What if we all viewed this moment not as an end, but as a beginning?
A Challenge, But Also an Opportunity.
The recent shutdown of USAID funding is undoubtedly a painful and anxiety-inducing reality for many individuals and communities. Jobs have been lost, and uncertainty looms. However, in every crisis lies an opportunity, both personally and communally, especially for Africa. While employment may have been taken away, skills remain within individuals and across the continent. Now is the time to shake off the dependence on aid and embrace a new mindset, one that shifts from employee to employer, from dependency to self-reliance.
For individuals, the years spent working under USAID, coupled with the investment in professional development, are not in vain. These experiences and skills are your greatest assets. The key question is: how do you leverage them to move forward? Fear and anxiety will only paralyze progress. Instead, ask yourself:
• How can I continue my work and passion, even beyond USAID?
• How can I collaborate with former colleagues and like-minded professionals to create sustainable solutions?
• Where can I apply my expertise in ways that drive impact within my community?
Loss always presents an opportunity, it’s a door to something new.
A Defining Moment for Africa
For Africa, this is a turning point. It is an opportunity for the African Union and national governments to take ownership of the development agenda, using the existing infrastructure and resources that have already been built. Africa is home to vast minerals, raw materials, and human capital, the very elements that power global industries. Now is the time to unite, innovate, and build an Africa that thrives not on foreign aid but on strategic collaboration, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency.
USAID may be gone for now, but this is not the time to stand still, it is the time for action. A lot can be achieved in just 90 days with the right mindset and strategic collaboration. And if USAID or any other donor agency returns, it should align with Africa’s agenda, not the other way around.
Now is the time to:
• Think smart, act boldly, and work collectively to ensure that progress benefits all our brothers and sisters, not just a privileged few.
• Embrace the Umunthu spirit, the African philosophy of humanity, solidarity, and shared progress, as our guiding force.
• Leverage our skills, support one another, and take ownership of our destiny to create lasting solutions that serve generations to come.
As Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda once said:
“Independence does not mean money and wealth will rain on our heads like manna from heaven. No. It means hard work.”
This is the moment for Africa to truly embody this philosophy. Real independence means standing on our own, using our skills and resources, which together we have in magnitude, to drive progress, while ensuring that we, as Africans, build our own future. We are not a continent lacking in wealth or potential; we are a continent brimming with untapped power. It is time to harness it.
An Opportunity for Organizations, Businesses, and Financial Institutions
For organizations and businesses, this is a golden opportunity to harness the wealth of talent now available. Many skilled professionals, previously engaged with USAID projects, are now on the market, equipped with expertise, networks, and experience. Rather than letting these skills go untapped, businesses can integrate them into their workforce, strengthening innovation, service delivery, and impact. Additionally, this is a chance for businesses to redefine their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability agenda, not just as charity but as a strategic investment in long-term economic development. By supporting entrepreneurship, capacity-building initiatives, and local industry growth, businesses can play a direct role in economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.
For financial institutions, this moment calls for innovative financial solutions to support individuals transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship. Many former USAID professionals have the knowledge, networks, and skills to start their own ventures but lack access to startup capital and financial buffers. Banks and microfinance institutions can step in by:
• Developing specialized loan products with flexible repayment plans tailored to professionals-turned-entrepreneurs.
• Offering business incubation financing to help skilled individuals launch and scale impact-driven ventures.
• Providing financial literacy programs to equip new entrepreneurs with the tools to manage funds effectively and avoid default.
Instead of viewing this transition as a financial risk, banking institutions, and investors should see it as an opportunity to create a new class of African entrepreneurs.
True leadership is about seeing beyond the immediate challenge and recognizing the potential for transformation. Where others see a crisis, visionary leaders see a chance to build a self-sustaining, economically empowered Africa.
The Time is Now. Let’s Rise Together.