Why Africa Rises and Falls: A Lesson from “Why Nations Fail

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By Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa
A tree without deep roots is easily blown away by the wind. So too are nations built on weak foundations, swayed by the storms of corruption, greed, and short-term power struggles. Africa, a land of immense wealth and untapped potential, has stood at the crossroads of destiny for centuries. Yet, while some nations rise, others remain shackled by extractive institutions—systems designed not to empower the people but to enrich a few at the expense of many.
In Why Nations Fail, Acemoglu and Robinson argue that nations succeed when they build inclusive institutions—systems that allow their people to participate in governance, the economy, and innovation. Nations fail when power remains concentrated in the hands of a few, where institutions serve only the ruling elite while the majority struggle to survive. Africa’s history, from the colonial era to modern-day governance, is a testament to this struggle.
The Chiefs Who Eat Alone Let the Village Starve
When the elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. From pre-colonial Africa to today, leadership has often determined the fate of nations. There was a time when African societies thrived under communal governance, where wealth and resources were shared, and rulers were accountable to their people. But the arrival of colonial powers disrupted this balance, creating systems that centralized power in the hands of a few. The colonialists built institutions not to serve, but to extract—mining wealth while suppressing the people.
At independence, African leaders inherited these extractive institutions but, instead of dismantling them, many simply stepped into the shoes of the colonizers. Power became concentrated in presidential palaces, while the people remained locked out of decision-making. Elections became rituals rather than reflections of the people’s will, and economies were structured to benefit the elite.
As the Swahili say, “A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way.” When a nation’s leaders prioritize personal gain over collective progress, failure is inevitable. Countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan illustrate how resource wealth, when controlled by a few, becomes a curse rather than a blessing.

Education: The Key That Opens the Doors of a Nation
“The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” When young minds are neglected, when education fails to serve its people, societies crumble. Colonial education in Africa was designed not to empower, but to produce obedient clerks and administrators who served foreign interests. Post-independence, many African governments did little to reform this system. Instead of building schools that create thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers, many nations remained dependent on an education system that teaches children to memorize, not to create.
China, South Korea, and Japan understood that no nation is built by foreign education alone. They redesigned their curricula, taught in their native languages, and prioritized science, technology, and local industries. Africa, on the other hand, remains caught in a system where students are trained for jobs that don’t exist and taught in languages that are not their own. “A man who uses borrowed tools will never build a strong house.” Until Africa creates an education system that is homegrown, relevant, and focused on innovation, true development will remain elusive.
Institutions: The Fence That Protects the Farm
A well-run nation is like a well-tended farm. “A goat eats where it is tethered.” If the fence is weak, goats will stray, crops will be destroyed, and the farmer will starve. The fence that protects nations is its institutions—its legal systems, policies, and governance structures. Countries that thrive, like Botswana and Rwanda, have built strong institutions that resist corruption and ensure accountability. They have created legal frameworks where businesses can thrive, where leaders are held to account, and where progress is measured not by individual wealth but by national prosperity.
But in many parts of Africa, the fence has been broken. “A monkey cannot judge its own case.” When corruption becomes the norm, when politicians control the judiciary, and when wealth is hoarded by a few, the people are left vulnerable. Nations like Nigeria and Angola, rich in oil but plagued by inequality, demonstrate what happens when institutions fail to protect the wealth of a nation. The few at the top grow richer, while the masses remain trapped in poverty.
The Road Forward: A Nation Must Cook Its Own Food
“He who does not cultivate his farm should not complain about hunger.” Africa must take ownership of its destiny. The continent’s potential is undeniable—its youth, its land, its natural resources. But until African nations build institutions that serve the people, reform education to produce problem-solvers, and prioritize self-reliance over dependency, they will continue to fail.
Development is not given; it is built. No foreign aid package, no international donor, and no Western institution will develop Africa. As Patrice Lumumba warned, “The day will come when Africa will write its own history, and it will be a history of glory and dignity.” That history is ours to write. But first, we must ensure that the pen is in our own hands, not in the hands of those who once enslaved us.
The question remains: Will Africa rise to reclaim its place, or will it continue to watch as others write its fate? The answer lies not in foreign conferences or aid packages, but in the choices made today—in classrooms, in parliaments, and in the hearts of the people. “If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting small stones today.”