FOREIGN AID IN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE

Abstract

The paper examines foreign aid as a strategy for the development of African states. It also analyzes how foreign aid became an important instrument of international economic relations between donor actors and African states. The paper discusses the relationship between foreign aid, development and underdevelopment. From the perspective of the ‘World Systems Theory’ the paper argues that despite the positive portrayal of foreign aid by the donor actors to the recipient countries like Nigeria and other aid dependent African countries, there exists a historic contradiction in the business of foreign aid which has not always made it possible for the achievement of the purposes they went meant for. The paper therefore, argues that based on the history of such aid relationships, it is evident that it was basically meant to benefit the donor countries, given, of course, the original motive behind the initiative for the provision of foreign aid, starting with that of the USA’s assistance to her Western allies in the post-World War 11 years. In conclusion, the paper maintains that aid dependent African countries like Nigeria should be courageous in developing local initiatives in their quest for development. It also submits that African economic integration through trade, as well as agriculture-led industrialization is an inevitable path for the actualization of tangible development.