The global development sector is facing a devastating moment. The freezing of U.S. funds has disrupted projects globally, with significant human cost. But could there be an opportunity here — a chance for the sector to reset?
It’s a debate that I’ve seen playing out across my social media feeds over the last couple of weeks. For some, the dramatic situation in the U.S. has exposed a fundamental problem that was always there — the vulnerability of global development programming to the whims of politicians in donor countries — and that always needed to be tackled. As Pan-African communications expert Mimi Kalinda wrote on LinkedIn: “For decades, Africa has spoken of self-determination, of owning its future. Perhaps now is the time to truly put those words into action.” Numerous others have expressed similar sentiments.
However, not everyone is convinced that the present moment offers such an opportunity. “Yes, global aid needs reform. I've seen the inefficiencies firsthand,” wrote health professional Yulia Sidorova. “But let's be clear about economic realities: when people live on less than $2 a day, they cannot pay for medical care at any price. No amount of 'innovation' or 'entrepreneurship' can bridge this gap.”