Former Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, has called for a shift in Africa’s role in global development cooperation, urging the continent to move from being a passive recipient of aid to an active co-author of development priorities.
Speaking at the AfricaXchange 2026 Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, Osinbajo participated in a high-level panel discussion on “The Future of Development Cooperation and How Africa Shapes the Next Era of Partnership.”
He noted that changing global funding dynamics present an opportunity for Africa to redefine its engagement with international partners. According to him, future partnerships must be more intentional, transparent, and driven by shared priorities with measurable outcomes.
The panel brought together several influential development leaders, including the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation, Mamadou Biteye, and the Executive Director of Africa No Filter, Moky Makura.
The session was moderated by William Asiko of the Rockefeller Foundation.
Osinbajo also engaged in discussions with global philanthropy leaders, including Elizabeth Yee and Peter Laugharn of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, focusing on the future of development finance and the role of private foundations in supporting Africa’s growth agenda.
The summit highlighted growing calls for reforms in global development architecture, with African leaders increasingly pushing for equitable and results-driven partnerships.