Former South African President Jacob Zuma has called on African leaders to take firm control of the continent’s resources and break away from the grip of Western dominance.
Speaking at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Annual Leadership Lecture on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Mr. Zuma stressed that Africa could no longer afford to remain dependent on external powers for its progress.
“The time has come for Africa to take ourselves to the final destination,” he declared. “We must do more to get what belongs to us. Our resources should benefit our people first before anyone else.”
Mr. Zuma, who leads South Africa’s MK Party, warned African leaders against allowing Western nations to exploit the continent’s natural wealth.
He insisted that Africa must utilise its resources for its own development and only engage external partners on equitable terms.
“We should utilise our own resources. If others don’t have them, let us sell to them. Let them not just take them away from us and make themselves wonderful while we continue to suffer,” he noted, describing some external powers as “enemies” of Africa’s progress.
He further cautioned that one of the greatest threats to the continent was internal betrayal, with some leaders being enticed to protect foreign interests at the expense of their nations.
“Our enemies know how to buy people to make them feel important when, in truth, they are undermining their own nations. We must stop them before they take it all,” he warned.
Calling for unity, Mr. Zuma urged African countries to work together in protecting their resources, promoting trade among themselves, and positioning the continent as a global leader rather than a perpetual supplier of raw materials.
“We have every possibility now to be ourselves. The time has come for us to stand together,” he emphasised.
The UPSA Annual Leadership lecture, instituted in 2017, has become a platform for addressing issues affecting Africa, business, and society.
Past speakers have included former President Kufuor, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Cardinal Peter Kwodwo Turkson, Kwame Pianim and Lord Paul Boateng.
This year’s event was held under the theme “The geopolitics and geo-economics of de-dollarisation: BRICS currency strategy, lessons for Africa’s common currency and beyond.”
Tying his message to the theme, Mr. Zuma underscored that economic blocs such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa, among others) offer Africa a credible alternative to Western-controlled systems.
He said the bloc provides an opportunity for African nations to strengthen economic sovereignty, advance regional integration, and chart an independent course for sustainable development.
