Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a subregion of the African continent located south of the Sahara. As of 2024, the region contained 48 nation-states, most of which were characterized “ by their low per capita income, high poverty rates, and susceptibility to external shocks” (United Nations, 2019).

As of December 2024, there remain 44 nations classified as least developed countries (LDCs), with 32 situated in Sub-Saharan Africa. That’s 32 out of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are classified as LDCS. The United Nations designates LDCs as developing nations exhibiting the lowest levels of socioeconomic advancement. These nations, according to the UN, face heightened risks of enduring extreme poverty and are often mired in underdevelopment, with over 75 percent of their populations living below the poverty line. Furthermore, according to the UN, LDCs are particularly vulnerable to external economic shocks, natural and manmade disasters, and communicable diseases, necessitating substantial support from the international community.

As of December 2024, 32 countries are identified as Land Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs), with 16 located in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the UN, the lack of sea access, isolation from global markets, and high transit costs severely hinder the socio-economic development of these nations. LLDCs typically incur transport costs over twice those of transit countries and face longer delivery times for imports and exports, according to the UN. Their neighboring transit countries, often also developing, share similar economic difficulties, which results in minimal trade between them.

According to the UN, LLDCs’ neighbors often struggle with inadequate transport infrastructure, compounding the trade obstacles faced by LLDCs. Overall, the development level in LLDCs is about 20 percent lower than it would be if they were not landlocked. Economically, LLDCs rely heavily on a narrow range of commodities and minerals, experience high unemployment and low productivity, and exhibit a high concentration of trade in a limited number of products.

The World Bank’s 2024 classification by income reveals that among the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, a significant 22 are categorized as low-income countries, or LICs, characterized by a Gross National Income per capita of less than or equal to US$ 1,145. This classification underscores the economic challenges faced by many nations in the region, highlighting the pressing need for targeted support and sustainable development initiatives to improve living standards and foster growth in these vulnerable economies.

As of 2023, the total population of Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to exceed 1.2 billion individuals, characterized by a notably youthful demographic with approximately 60 percent of the population being under the age of 25, highlighting a vibrant future ahead.

A staggering 71 percent of the workforce in the region is engaged in what is classified as vulnerable employment, indicating a significant challenge for job security and economic stability.

As of 2023, 43 percent of the population resides in urban areas, reflecting a shift towards city living and its associated opportunities and challenges.

As of 2023, 57 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived in rural areas, where they depended heavily on agriculture as their primary means of livelihood, underscoring the critical role of agriculture in sustaining these communities.

Exploring the Unfulfilled Promises

Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comprehensive Overview of Sixty Years of Independence

The journey of Sub-Saharan Africa is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people, who embody the same hardworking spirit found across the globe, striving for a better future amid the complexities of humanity. While the challenges of repeated injustices and struggles for dignity have marked the history of independent Sub-Saharan Africa, the dreams of unity and self-reliance remain glowing beacons of hope. It is time to harness that hope and transform it into action, redefining what is possible for our region. After 60 years of independence, the call for true unity, genuine self-sustaining development, and a just society ignites a relentless pursuit for change. The narrative of post-independence leadership may have been one of hardship and tyranny; however, the strength and perseverance of the people of sub-Saharan Africa stand as a powerful force for renewal. Now is the moment to rise collectively, embracing the necessity to reshape our systems and to rewrite our future with courage, patriotism, and a shared vision for a prosperous Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sub-Saharan African People Unite and Take Action Now

At WeUniteSSA, we believe that in the course of human society, citizens of a retarded society will sometimes have to violate conventional norms to restore virtue in their society.

We also believe that scarifying for poor and for a noble cause does not come naturally. It requires belief in the worthiness of one’s cause and the nobility of one’s vision. Sub-Saharan African referendum would aim at achieving one unique goal: Reforming the current African Union in the model of federal system of government. According to the surveys, the Unity of Sub-Saharan African nations is not only a collective long-held aspiration, but it is what most Sub-Saharan Africans want. But they have been disenfranchised by their leaders for so long. A federal Sub-Saharan Africa is the only solution to Sub-Saharan Africa’s continued poverty and underdevelopment. It is imperative. It is unthinkable. It is logical. It is irrevocable.

However, a federal Sub-Saharan Africa will not create itself. Sub-Saharan Africans and friends of Sub-Saharan Africa everywhere will have to fight for it. Achieving this goal will require a tougher and more virile version of faith that will inspire patriot Sub-Saharan Africans and friends of Sub-Saharan Africa to devote themselves to the glory of the spirit of common good.

Dissatisfaction Among Us

Highest Levels of Persistent Extreme Poverty

The rate of individuals living in extreme poverty, defined as earning less than 2.15 dollars a day, reveals a concerning disparity among global regions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people enduring extreme poverty has alarmingly escalated from 282.2 million in 1990 to an astonishing 464.2 million today. In stark contrast, East Asia and the Pacific have achieved a significant triumph by successfully reducing their extreme poverty figures from 1.04 billion in 1990 to just 17.6 million in 2024. South Asia has similarly demonstrated noteworthy progress, decreasing its extreme poverty rate from 570.9 million in 1990 to 148.7 million in 2024. Although the global tally of individuals living in extreme poverty has fallen from 2 billion in 1990 to 693 million in 2024, it is imperative to emphasize that Sub-Saharan Africa remains the sole developing region where extreme poverty has persistently increased since 1990, prompting critical inquiries into the underlying factors obstructing its progress in addressing this urgent crisis.

Highest Number of Undernourished People

The alarming increase in the number of undernourished individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa, soaring from 173 million in 2000 to an extraordinary 277.7 million in 2023, demands urgent and determined intervention. In stark contrast, Eastern Asia has triumphed over undernourishment, having eliminated it completely after reducing figures from 151 million to none, and Southeastern Asia has made noteworthy strides, decreasing its numbers from 106.3 million to 41.7 million. While the global trend shows a reduction in undernourishment, from 785 million in 2000 to 733.4 million in 2023, it is profoundly concerning that Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only developing region to experience an upward trajectory in this grim statistic. This dire situation reveals significant challenges in resource management and governance, particularly given the region’s agricultural potential to combat hunger, and compels us to critically examine the underlying factors that have prevented Sub-Saharan Africa from reducing its undernourished population.

Lowest Percentage of Population With Electricity Access

Between 2000 and 2022, access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 175 million people, representing 26 percent of the population, to 634 million, or 52 percent. Meanwhile, East Asia and the Pacific experienced a rise from 1.9 billion people, equivalent to 92 percent, to 2.3 billion, making up 98 percent. South Asia also saw significant growth, climbing from 816 million, or 58 percent, to 1.9 billion, which also reached 98 percent. On a global scale, access expanded from 4.8 billion people, or 78 percent, to 7.3 billion, representing 91 percent. Despite these advances, Sub-Saharan Africa remains unique as the only region where 48 percent of the population, approximately 590 million out of 1.2 billion people, still lack access to electricity as of 2022. This situation raises a crucial question about why other developing regions and the world as a whole have been able to provide access while Sub-Saharan Africa continues to encounter obstacles.

Lowest Percentage of Rural Communities With Electricity Access

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of individuals in rural Sub-Saharan Africa with access to electricity increased dramatically from 56 million, which accounted for 12 percent of the rural population in 2000, to 217 million, or 31 percent of the rural population in 2022. In contrast, East Asia and the Pacific saw their access rates rise from 1.1 billion, representing 88 percent of the rural population in 2000, to 868 million, or 97 percent of the rural population by 2022. Likewise, South Asia’s access escalated from 481 million, or 47 percent of the rural population in 2000, to 1.2 billion, or 98 percent of the rural population in 2022. Globally, access to electricity grew from 2.2 billion, or 66 percent, to 2.9 billion, or 84 percent of the rural population in 2022. However, despite these notable advancements, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region where 69 percent of the rural population, totaling 488 million, still lacks access to electricity. This troubling reality leads us to question why other developing regions and the global community have successfully provided access to electricity for their rural populations, while Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face these enduring challenges.

Major Conflicts in Postcolonial Sub-Saharan Africa

Efforts by various research studies and international organizations have sought to estimate the casualties stemming from major civil conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa, even in the face of difficulties such as inadequate record-keeping and ongoing instability in the region. Presented here is a concise overview of the estimated death tolls associated with key postcolonial conflicts across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria – Biafran War (1967–1970)

Estimated Deaths: 1–3 million
Most died from famine and disease due to blockades.

Ethiopia – Eritrean War & Tigray Conflict

Eritrean War (1961–1991): ~300,000–500,000
Tigray Conflict (2020–2022): 180,000–600,000+
Includes combat deaths, starvation, and civilian casualties.

Democratic Republic of Congo – Congo Wars (1996–2003)

Estimated Deaths: 5–6 million
Deadliest conflict since WWII; many deaths from starvation and disease.

Rwanda – Genocide (1994)

Estimated Deaths: 800,000–1,000,000
Occurred in just 100 days.

Sudan – North-South Civil Wars & Darfur Conflict

First & Second Civil Wars (1955–1972, 1983–2005): ~2 million
Darfur Conflict (2003–present): ~300,000
Includes displacement-related deaths and atrocities.

South Sudan – Civil War (2013–2018)

Estimated Deaths: 400,000
Many more displaced and facing famine conditions.

Somalia – Civil War (since 1991)

Estimated Deaths: 500,000–1 million
Ongoing conflict; includes famine and militant violence.

Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002)

Estimated Deaths: 50,000–70,000

Liberia Civil Wars (1989–1996; 1999–2003)

Estimated Deaths: 250,000

Approximate Total (all conflicts combined):

Over 10 million deaths
Not including long-term indirect deaths (e.g., famine, disease, migration stress).

In 1980 in Monrovia, Liberia, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Assembly of Heads of State and Governments declared:

In assessing the economic problems of our continent, we are convinced that Africa’s underdevelopment is not inevitable. Indeed, it is a paradox when one bears in mind the immense human and natural resources of the continent. In addition to its reservoir of human resources, our continent has 97 percent of world reserves of chrome, 85 percent of world reserves of platinum, 64 percent of world reserves of manganese, 25 percent of the world reserves of uranium and 13 percent of world reserves of copper, without mentioning bauxite, nickel and lead, 20 per cent of world hydro-electrical potential, 20 percent of traded oil in the world if we exclude the United States and USRR; 70 percent of world cocoa production; one-third of world coffee production, 50 percent of palm produce, to mention just a few.

aware of the fact that Africa is a vast continent amply endowed with natural resources of all kinds, provided with a potentially rich human resource base and capable of a rapid transformation of its economies and improvement in the standards of living of its peoples;

determined to ensure that our member-states, individually and collectively, restructure their economic and social strategies and programs so as to achieve rapid socio-economic change and to establish a solid domestic and intra-African base for self-sustaining, self-reliant development and economic growth;

realizing that the political regime which protects basic human rights and democratic freedom is essential for mobilizing the creative initiative of our people for rapid economic development, including scientific and technological innovation;

recognizing the need to take urgent action to provide the political support necessary for the success of measures to achieve the goals of rapid self-reliance and self-sustaining development and economic growth; hereby declares as follows:

That we commit ourselves individually and collectively, on behalf of our governments and peoples, to promote the social and economic development and integration of our economies with a view to achieving an increasing measure of self-reliance and self-sustainment;
That we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our governments and peoples to promote the economic integration of the African region in order to facilitate and reinforce social and economic intercourse;
That we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our governments and peoples to establish national, sub-regional and regional institutions which will facilitate the attainment of objectives of self-reliance and self-sustainment;
That, more specifically, we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our governments and peoples to: • Give an important place to the field of human resources development by states to eliminate illiteracy;
• Put science and technology in the service of development by reinforcing the autonomous capacity of our countries in this field;
• Self-sufficiency in food production and supply;
• Complete implementation of the programs for the United Nations Transport and Communications Decade for Africa;
• Sub-regional and regional, internally, industrial development;
• Co-operation in the field of natural resources control, exploration, extraction and use, for the development of our economies and for the benefit of our peoples and the setting up of appropriate institutions to achieve these purposes;
• The development of indigenous entrepreneurial and technical manpower and technological capabilities to enable our peoples to assume greater responsibility for the achievement of our individual and collective development goals;
• Co-operation in the preservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment;
• Ensure that our development policies reflect adequately our socio-cultural values in order to reinforce our cultural identity;
• Take into account the dimension of the future in the elaboration of our development plans, including studies and measures aimed at achieving the rapid socio-economic transformation of our states;
5. We hold firmly to the views that these commitments will lead to the creation at the national, sub-regional and regional levels, of a dynamic, interdependent, African economy and will thereby pave the way for the eventual establishment of African common market, leading to an African economic community;
6. Resolving to give special attention to the discussion of economic issues at each Session of our Assembly, we hereby call on the Administrative Secretary-General, in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, to draw up annuals specific programs and measures for economic co-operation on a sub-regional, regional and continental basis in Africa.

Lowest Population With Reliable Access To Safe Drinking Water

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to basic drinking water rose significantly from 309 million, or 45 percent of the population, to 801 million, or 65 percent. In contrast, East Asia and the Pacific experienced an increase in access from 1.6 billion, or 80 percent, to 2.3 billion, reaching 93 percent, while South Asia saw growth from 1.1 billion, or 81 percent, to 1.8 billion, also achieving 93 percent. On a global scale, access expanded from 5 billion, or 80 percent, to 7.3 billion, or 91 percent. Despite this encouraging progress, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region where nearly 35 percent of the population, approximately 430 million people, still lack access to basic drinking water. This situation prompts a critical inquiry into why other developing regions and the global community can enhance access while Sub-Saharan Africa continues to encounter significant challenges.

Lowest Rural Communities with Safe Drinking Water Access

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of individuals in rural Sub-Saharan Africa with access to basic drinking water surged from 143 million or 31 percent of the rural population to 358 million representing 51 percent. Meanwhile, East Asia and the Pacific experienced an increase from 827 million, or 69 percent to 838 million, achieving a striking 93 percent access rate among its rural population in 2022. Similarly, South Asia’s access jumped from 791 million or 77 percent to 1.1 billion, reaching 92 percent. On a global scale, access grew from 2.2 billion or 68 percent to 2.9 billion or 84 percent. Despite these significant advancements, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region where nearly half of the rural population totaling 347 million people still lacks access to basic drinking water. This stark reality highlights the urgent need for collective action as we work to understand why other developing regions and the global community have succeeded in providing access while Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face these ongoing challenges.

Lowest Population With Access To Basic Sanitation Services

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to basic sanitation services grew from 151 million, representing 22 percent of the population, to 426 million, or 35 percent. In contrast, East Asia and the Pacific saw access increase from 1.2 billion, or 61 percent of the population, to 2.2 billion, which accounts for 94 percent. Similarly, South Asia improved from 253 million, or 18 percent, to 1.5 billion, reaching 75 percent of its population. On a global scale, access expanded from 3.4 billion, or 55 percent, to 6.4 billion, or 81 percent. Despite this notable progress, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region where nearly 65 percent of the population, approximately 799 million people in 2022, still lack access to basic sanitation services. This raises a critical question regarding why other developing regions and the world have been able to provide access to basic sanitation services for their populations, while Sub-Saharan Africa continues to encounter significant challenges.

VIII. Lowest Rural Population With Access to Basic Sanitation Services

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of individuals in rural Sub-Saharan Africa with access to basic sanitation services saw an inspiring rise from 73 million, or 16 percent of the rural population, to 172 million, representing 24 percent of the rural population. Meanwhile, East Asia and the Pacific achieved an extraordinary leap from 539 million, or 45 percent, to 796 million, reaching an impressive 89 percent access rate. Similarly, South Asia experienced a remarkable increase from 61 million, or 0.06 percent, to an astounding 895, attaining a 72 percent access rate. On a global scale, access grew from 1.1 billion, or 34 percent, to 2.4 billion, or 70 percent. While these advancements are commendable, we must recognize that Sub-Saharan Africa still faces significant hurdles, with 76 percent of the rural population, totaling 538 million, lacking access to basic sanitation services. This challenging situation inspires us to unite and reflect on how we can empower Sub-Saharan Africa to overcome these barriers and achieve the same level of progress seen in other developing regions and the global community.

Highest Percentage of Population Practicing Open Defecation

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa engaging in open defecation declined from 223 million, or 33 percent of the population, to 204 million, equating to 17 percent. In stark contrast, East Asia and the Pacific achieved a significant reduction from 149 million, or 7 percent, to merely 26 million, or 1 percent, by 2022. South Asia also demonstrated notable progress, decreasing its figures from 879 million, or 62 percent, to 180 million, or 9 percent of its population. Globally, the prevalence of open defecation shrank from 1.3 billion, or 22 percent, to 428 million, or 5 percent. However, despite these positive developments, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to confront a critical challenge, with approximately 17 percent of its population, or around 204 million people, still practicing open defecation in 2022. This persistent reality raises urgent questions regarding the disparities in access to basic sanitation services between Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions, emphasizing the need to address the underlying barriers that hinder progress in this vital area.

Highest Percentage of Rural Population Practicing Open Defecation

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of individuals in rural Sub-Saharan Africa practicing open defecation experienced a slight decline from 202 million, or 43 percent of the rural population, to 179 million, representing 25 percent of the rural population. In contrast, East Asia and the Pacific made a remarkable transition from 149 million, or 7 percent of the rural population, to just 26 million, achieving a mere 1 percent of open defecation practices in rural areas. Likewise, South Asia showcased significant progress, reducing its figures from 798 million practices, or 78 percent of the rural population, to 177 million, resulting in a 14 percent open defecation rate. On a global scale, the open defecation rate diminished from 1.2 billion, or 37 percent, to a notable 389 million, or 11 percent. While these advancements are worthy of recognition, we must confront the reality that Sub-Saharan Africa continues to grapple with profound challenges, as 25 percent of the rural population, equivalent to 179 million people, still lack access to basic sanitation services. This sobering reality compels us to unite and contemplate how we can enable Sub-Saharan Africa to surmount these obstacles and attain the progress reflected in other developing regions and the global community.

Lowest Life Expectancy in Developing Regions

The analysis of life expectancy over the past seventy years tells an inspiring story of potential and hope, revealing a call to action for global unity as we work together to address the disparities in health outcomes. While the world has made significant strides, with the average life expectancy for newborns rising from 62 to 72 years between 1980 and 2022, Sub-Saharan Africa has faced obstacles, seeing only a modest increase from 49 to 61 years. In contrast, regions like East Asia and South Asia have experienced remarkable improvements, highlighting the impressive capabilities we can cultivate when we come together. These disparities present us with an opportunity to rally our efforts and advocate for a brighter and more equitable future for all in Sub-Saharan Africa. Let’s harness the richness of our natural and human resources to uplift communities and inspire change, creating a healthier tomorrow for everyone.

Highest Under Five Mortality Rate Among Developing Regions

Since 1950, we have witnessed an inspiring decline in global child mortality rates, reflecting tremendous progress in living standards, healthcare access, nutrition, and clean drinking water. In prosperous regions like Europe and North America, child mortality rates have dropped to below seven percent, demonstrating the effectiveness of strong public health initiatives. Yet, we must turn our attention to Sub-Saharan Africa, where child mortality rates, although improved from 179 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 71 in 2022, still fall short of the global average. Meanwhile, East Asia and the Pacific have seen a remarkable reduction from 57 to 15, and South Asia has made commendable strides, reducing rates from 130 to 36. Overall, child mortality rates worldwide have decreased from 93 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 37 in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced health outcomes for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. This serves as a powerful call to action for us all: how can we work together to ensure that every child in Sub-Saharan Africa thrives and shares in the successes achieved by other regions?

Highest Maternal Mortality Rate in Developing Regions

Pregnancy-related fatalities illuminate the challenges we face, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where high birth rates have led to maternal mortality rates that are deeply concerning. However, the drop in maternal deaths in this region, from 802 in 2000 to 536 in 2020, showcases the potential for change and underscores the pressing need for improved healthcare systems that prioritize the well-being of mothers and infants. Meanwhile, East Asia and the Pacific, along with South Asia, have achieved remarkable strides, with East Asia and the Pacific reducing maternal deaths from 121 to 74 and South Asia from 417 to 138 during the same years. These successes are a testament to what can be accomplished through dedicated governance and effective healthcare policies, fueling hope in families striving for healthier futures. The pressing question then becomes how we can harness our abundant resources in Sub-Saharan Africa to ensure that a better maternal healthcare system becomes a reality, just as it has in other developing regions.

Data source: World Development Indicators (2025)

Uncovering the Causes of Poverty and Underdevelopment in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to Mansur Olson, an economics professor at the University of Maryland, economic success does not primarily rely on the endowment of natural resources or the availability of human and physical capital. Olson posits that resources such as skilled labor, machinery, and infrastructure are not essential prerequisites for development, as these can be cultivated during the development process itself. Rather, the essence of economic performance lies in the strength of a nation’s institutions and policies. He suggests that the quality of these national institutions is a crucial factor in explaining the disparities in wealth among countries. Nations that boast effective policies and robust institutions are better positioned to realize their full productive capacity. In contrast, those with weak institutions and ineffective policies often fall short of their potential output. Even a nation abundant in productive resources may struggle to maximize its production if it lacks a conducive institutional framework. To understand the role of institutions in economic performance, Douglas C. North, an economic historian, describes them as the established rules governing societal interactions, which can be seen as deliberately created constraints that shape human exchange across political, social, and economic domains. Such institutional frameworks not only influence immediate interactions but also play a significant role in guiding the evolution of societies over time, making them essential to grasping historical changes.

According to the African Natural Resources Center (ANRC), Africa is home to the world’s largest arable landmass; it is home to the two longest rivers (the Nile and the Congo); and it is home to the second largest tropical forest. The total value added of its fisheries and aquaculture sector alone is estimated at $24 billion USD. Approximately 30% of all global mineral reserves are found in Africa. Africa’s natural resources provide a unique opportunity to foster human and economic development. However, weak institutions and corruption and governance challenges have been fundamental obstructions.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s journey to independence was marked by hope and determination. However, six decades later, the region grapples with numerous challenges, including economic disparities, political instability, social inequalities, continued poverty, and underdevelopment.

Our mission is to shed light on these issues and foster dialogue for a brighter future. There is no mystery why sub-Saharan Africa stands as the world’s poorest region, with its citizens being among the most impoverished globally, despite the abundance of arable land and natural resources. The critical neglect of agriculture, which has sustained the vast majority of the region’s population since independence in the 1960s, plays a significant role in perpetuating chronic poverty and underdevelopment. Consequently, it is clear why sub-Saharan Africa continues to struggle economically, even with its rich potential in agricultural and natural resources.

In his book “ How Asia Work,” Studwell (2013) writes:

Agricultural development policy, including land policy, is the acid test of a government of a poor country because it measures the extent to which leaders are in touch with the bulk of their population, and the extent to which they are willing to shape up society to produce developmental outcomes. Agricultural development policy tells you how much leaders know and care about the vast majority of their population.

According to Studwell (2013), “ A massive investment in agriculture in Asia produced two enormously beneficial effects that could not be achieved through other policies. The first effect was the fullest possible use of labor population in rural economies to maximize output; the second effect was both high level of income and social mobility.” Said Studwell. “With most human resources concentrated in agriculture , the sector offers poor countries the most immediate opportunity to increase economic output. East Asia after Second World War was no exception. Even Japan which began its development in the 1870 with a three-quarters rural population, almost half of the workforce was still farm-based at the start of the war.”
Michael Lipton well put it in these terms: “In early developmental stage, with labor plentiful and the ability to save scarce resources, agriculture is especially promising, because it is the part of the economy in which a given amount of scarce investible resources will be supported by the most human efforts.”
“In retrospect, the most critical failure appears to have been independent Sub-Saharan Africa’s severe neglect of its own agricultural development, the sector on which the vast majority of its people depend on for their lines of work and their livelihoods,” said Sanford J. Ungar (1985).
“I was calling on Sub-Saharan African leaderships to go beyond declarations and to go beyond conferences-That is true. Sub-Saharan African countries are not meeting their Maputo declaration of allocating a minimum of 10 percent of their budgets to agriculture, the sector on which the vast majority of their population depend on for their line of work and for their livelihood, they have to double efforts,” said Kanayo F. Nwanze (President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, June 2014).
Although most Sub-Saharan Africans live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, a study in 2015 shows that agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa registered growth, but only where weather conditions were favorable, and that, “The sector was mostly not a chief priority for major government investment.”

The Numbers Behind the Struggle

Table 1-6 gives both investment levels in agriculture in terms of agricultural machinery (tractors) and agricultural productivity in terms of cereal yields (kg per hectare) in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions, between 1965 and 2000.

Table 1 : Agricultural Machinery (Tractors) in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions, 1965-2000

Table 1 gives the number of agricultural machinery(tractors) in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions over the period 1965-2000:

The number of tractors in sub-Saharan Africa increased to 254,614 tractors in 2000 from 197,335 tractors in 1965(Compared with the number of tractors in East Asia and the Pacific which increased to 3,279,657 tractors in 2000 from 575,313 tractors in 1965, that in South Asia increased to 2,445,122 tractors in 2000 from 64,156 tractors in 1965) (see table1 on the left).

Table 2: Agricultural machinery (Tractors) per 100 sq.km in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions, 1965-2005

Table 2 gives the number of agricultural machineries per 100 sq.km by region, between 1965 and 2005:

The number of agricultural machinery (tractors per sq.km) in sub-Saharan Africa increased to 24 tractors per sq.km in 1975 from 15 tractors per sq.km in 1965. Between 1975 and 2005, there was no investment in agricultural machineries in sub-Saharan Africa so the number of tractors per sq.km remained at 24 tractors per sq.km or less, over the period 1975 – 2005 ( Compared with the number of tractors per sq.km in East Asia and the Pacific which increased to 74 in 1975 from 31 tractors per sq.km in 1965. Between 1975 to 1985, the number of tractors per sq.km in East Asia and the Pacific increased to 152 tractors in 1985 from 74 tractors per sq.km in 1975; that in South Asia increased to 116 tractors per sq.km in 2000 from 3 in 1965)(see table 2 on the left)

Table 3: Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) by regions in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions, 1970-2017

Table 3 gives agricultural outputs in terms of cereal yields (kg per hectare), between 1970 and 2017:

Agricultural output in terms of cereal yields (kg. hectare) in sub-Saharan Africa increased to 1,088 kg per hectare in 1990 from 835 kg in 1970. Between 1990 and 2017, the yield per hectare in sub-Saharan Africa increased to 1,438 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1,088 kg in 1990 (Compared with 3,679 kg per hectare in 1990 from 2,108kg in 1970, in East Asia and the Pacific. From 1990 to 2017, cereal yields kg per hectare in East Asia and the Pacific increased to 5,019 kg per hectare in 2017 from 3, 679 kg in 1990; that in South Asia increased to 3, 011 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1,201 kg per hectare in 1970).

The yields in Least Developed Countries (33 out of 44 of which are countries in SSA) increased to 2047 kg in 2017 from 1140 kg per hectare in 1970.
The yield in the world increased to 3920 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1827 kg per hectare of arable land in 1970(see table 3).

Conclusion: The agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite its immense potential with vast arable land and a rich human resource base, has struggled to achieve meaningful outputs since independence in the 1960s. This challenge largely stems from a long-standing lack of attention and commitment from the region’s leadership toward agricultural development. As a result, Sub-Saharan Africa has become the poorest region in the world, where many citizens are caught in a cycle of extreme poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. This neglect weighs heavily on the shoulders of the rural communities, who make up the majority of the population and deserve care and support to thrive.

To further shed lights on the state of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa in post-independence era, we compare investment levels in agriculture in terms of agriculture machinery (tractors) and yields in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Table 4 gives the number of tractors in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia over the period 1965-2000:

The number of tractors in Nigeria, with its huge rural population, increased to 11,700 in 1985 from 1,300 tractors in 1965. As of 2000, the number of tractors in Nigeria was 20,006 (compared with an increase to 861,364 tractors in 1985 from 73, 021 in 1965 in China. As of 2000, the number of tractors in China was 989,139 tractors).
The number of tractors in Ghana declined to 1,956 tractors in 1985 from 2,116 tractors in 1965. The number of tractors in Ghana further declined to 1,936 tractors in 2000 from 1956 tractors in 1985 (compared with an increase to 4,013 tractors in 2000 from 100 tractors in 1965 in Indonesia).
The combined tractors in seven sub-Saharan African countries with available data in 2000 was 132,489 tractors (compared with 191,631 tractors in South Korea alone, in 2000)
The number of tractors in India increased to 1,354,864 tractors in 1995 from 48,000 tractors in 1965 (compared with an increase to 224, 909 tractors in 1995 from 197,335 tractors in sub-Saharan Africa in 1965).
As of 2000, the number of tractors in India was 2,091,000 tractors, that of sub-Saharan Africa remained unchanged over the period 1995 to 2000 at 224, 909 tractors (see table 4).

Table 5 give the number of tractors per sq.km of arable land in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia, over the period 1965-2005:

Table 5 gives the number of tractors per sq.km of arable land in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia, over the period 1965-2005:

Over the period 1965-1985, the number of agricultural machineries (tractors) per sq.km of arable land in Nigeria increased to 5 tractors in 1985 from 0 tractor per sq.km in 1965, that in Tanzania declined to 9 tractors in 1985 from 28 tractors in 1965, that in Ghana declined to 8 tractors in 1985 from 12 tractors in 1965, that in Madagascar declined to 6 tractors)in 1985 from 9 tractors in 1965,

(Compared with 127 tractors per sq.km of arable land in 1985 from 31 tractors per sq.km in 1965 in Malaysia).

The combined tractors per sq.km of arable land in five sub-Saharan African countries — Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and Madagascar — was 48 tractors per sq.km of arable land in 1985 (compared with 62 tractors per sq.km of arable land in South Korea over the same year, 1985).
The average number of tractors per sq.km of arable land in South Korea increased to 62 tractors per sq.km in 1985 from 3 in 1975(compared with a stagnant 24 tractors per sq.km in sub-Saharan Africa over 1975-1985). Thus, the average number of tractors per sq.km in sub-Saharan Africa remained stagnant at 24 tractors per sq.km over the period 1975- 2005, that in South Korea increased from 62 tractors in 1985 to 1,387 tractors per sq.km of arable land in 2005(see table 5 and 2).

Table 6 shows agricultural outputs in term of cereal yields (kg per hectare) in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, over the period 1970-2017:

Cereal yields (kg per hectare) in Nigeria increased to 1,462 in 2017 from 723 kg per hectare in 1970, that in Tanzania increased to 1,544 kg per hectare in 2017 from 574 kg per hectare in 1970 (compared with 4,580 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1,666 kg in 1970 in Bangladesh).
Cereal yields (kg per hectare) in Ghana increased to 1,873 kg in 2017 from 858 kg per hectare in 1970, that in Cote d’Ivoire increased to 2,148 kg per hectare in 2017 from 829 kg per hectare in 1970 (compared with 5,307 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,001 kg in 1970 in Indonesia).
Cereal yields (kg per hectare) in Kenya increased to 1,474 kg in 2017 from 1,278 kg per hectare in 1970, that in Niger increased to 542 kg per hectare in 2017 from 390 kg per hectare in 1970 (compared with 4,635 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,009 kg in 1970 in Papua New Guinea).
Cereal yield kg per hectare in Mozambique declined to 872 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1,000 kg in 1970, that in Congo Democratic Republic increased to 770 kg per hectare in 2017 from 727 kg in 1970 (compared with 5,896 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,143 kg per hectare in 1970 in China).
Cereal yield kg per hectare in Angola declined to 905 kg per hectare in 2017 from 911 kg per hectare in 1970, that in Cameroon increased to 1,665 kg per hectare in 2017 from 799 kg per hectare in 1970, that in Uganda increased to 2,050 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1363 kg per hectare 1970 ( compare with 6,815 cereal yield kg per hectare in 2017 from 3, 720 cereal yield kg per hectare in 1970, in Korea , Rep).
Thus, over the period 1970-2017,the combined agricultural outputs in these selected Sub-Saharan African countries (increased from 3,073 kg per hectare in 1970 to 4,620 kg per hectare in 2017), which was less than that in South Korea alone (which increased from 3,720 kg per hectare in 1970 to 6,815 kg per hectare in 2017).
The average cereal yield kg per hectare in Sub-Saharan Africa (48 countries) increased to 1,438 kg per hectare in 2017 from 835 kg in 1970 compared with:

6,815 kg per hectare in 2017 from 3,720 kg per hectare in 1970 in South Korea

5, 896 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2, 143 kg per hectare in 1970 in China

5,307 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,001 kg per hectare in 1970 in Indonesia

4,054 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,383 kg per hectare in 1970 in Malaysia

4,635 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,009 in 1970 kg per hectare in Papua New Guinea

4,560 kg per hectare in 2017 from 1,666 kg per hectare in 1970 in Bangladesh

5,601 kg per hectare in 2017 from 2,104 kg per hectare in 1970 in Vietnam (see table 6 and 3).

Economy

It has been argued that many Sub-Saharan African countries, which today are among the poorest countries in the world, had per capita incomes that were either higher than or at least equal to those in many countries in East Asia & Pacific in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Since the Sub-Saharan African countries had significant endowments of environmental resources, they were expected to outperform their relatively less endowed Asian counterparts and achieve rapid development in post- independence period (World Bank, 2017). Table 7 gives GNI per capita in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Table 7 gives GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$) in developing regions over the period 1965 -2022:

In 1965, the Gross National Income per capita in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Madagascar was notably higher than that of China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka, indicating a promising economic landscape for these African nations at the time ( see table 7 on the left). However, by the year 2023, the stark contrast in economic progress becomes evident, as the Gross National Income per capita for the Republic of Korea and China has experienced remarkable growth, reaching $34490 and $13390, respectively. In sharp contrast, the Gross National Income per capita for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana has shown only modest advancements, climbing to $630, $2470, and $2360, respectively, from 1965 to 2023, highlighting the significant disparities in economic development between these countries and their Asian counterparts over nearly six decades.

The critical question within development economics explores the underlying reasons for the exceptional economic growth seen in East Asian nations like China and South Korea, in stark contrast to many Sub-Saharan African countries that have faced significant challenges in achieving similar levels of sustained growth. The factors driving these differing paths are complex and varied; however, a comprehensive analysis reveals the key elements that shape these outcomes:

Investment in Education and Human Capital

South Korea and China made significant investments in education and health, leading to early achievements in high literacy rates and a skilled workforce. By the 1970s, South Korea’s literacy rate surged from 22 percent in 1945 to over 90 percent. In contrast, many Sub-Saharan African nations continue to face challenges, as their education systems suffer from chronic underfunding, resulting in low completion rates and insufficient technical training.

Effective Governance and Policy Choices

East Asian nations, despite their imperfections, have historically been characterized by robust and centralized governance structures that facilitate long-term strategic planning. In contrast, the post-independence era of Sub-Saharan Africa has been marked by significant challenges, including pervasive political instability, widespread corruption, civil conflicts, and frequent changes of regime, all of which have substantially undermined the potential for sustained investment and economic growth in the region.

Industrialization and Export-Oriented Growth

East Asia has historically centered its economic strategies around manufactured exports, which are characterized by their higher value and relative stability in comparison to other forms of trade. In contrast, many Sub-Saharan African economies have become increasingly reliant on raw commodities such as oil, cocoa, and gold, which are susceptible to significant price fluctuations and contribute minimal value-added processes. This pronounced lack of diversification within Sub-Saharan African economies has resulted in heightened vulnerability to external economic shocks, posing considerable challenges to their sustained growth and development.

Infrastructure Development

East Asian nations have historically prioritized investment in transport, electricity, and digital infrastructure, thereby fostering an environment that is conducive to robust industrial growth. In contrast, Sub-Saharan African countries frequently experience deficiencies in both infrastructure and institutional capacity, which significantly impedes their ability to attract foreign investment and scale their industrial activities.

Political Stability and Institutions

East Asia is characterized by the emergence of relatively stable and effective institutions in nations such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan over an extended period. Despite encountering significant challenges, including the experience of military dictatorships in South Korea, these countries have established governance frameworks that promote institutional development and facilitate economic growth. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa has faced considerable political instability, marked by military coups and civil conflicts particularly during the 1960s to 1980s. This tumultuous history has resulted in the proliferation of weak institutions, rampant corruption, and inadequate governance, ultimately hindering economic advancement across the region.

Understanding the Challenges

We explore the ongoing challenges Sub-Saharan Africa has faced since gaining independence in the 1960s as these complex issues continue to shape the region’s development and cultural identity.

Unity: The Unfulfilled Collective Dream of Sub-Saharan Africa

Even prior to gaining independence, the Pan-African vision of continental unity was
recognized as essential for achieving complete independence, self-reliance, and
sustainable development. In the years leading up to independence in the 1960s, African
leaders, both on the continent and in the Diaspora, began to perceive Africa not as a
collection of fragmented nations but as a unified entity. They initiated discussions about
continental development rather than focusing solely on isolated progress within specific
countries or regions. These perspectives gradually became integrated into the nationalist
movements and found their most explicit expression during the independence struggle. The
Pan-African Congress convened in Manchester in 1945, uniting African nationalist leaders
and those from the Diaspora, outlining Africa’s aspirations which included securing
independence from colonial domination to enable self-governance and fostering
continental unity to facilitate accelerated economic growth and establish a robust presence
in the global arena. This Pan-African ideology gained traction at the sub-regional level as
nationalist movements rallied the support of peasants and workers in their fight against
colonial rule, ultimately realizing their independence with this collective vision as their
guiding principle.

Since gaining independence, the dream of unity in Sub-Saharan Africa has sadly not been
realized, remaining a topic of discussion at summits but never fully achieved. This has led to
ongoing poverty, persistent underdevelopment, frequent conflicts, devastating wars,
widespread hunger and malnutrition, recurrent displacement, and horrific violence against
civilians, alongside rampant corruption and governance issues that have caused untold
suffering for the vast majority of the population. It is perplexing that despite its rich natural
resources and human capital, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of hungry
individuals and the lowest per capita income in the developing world. How can we explain
that a region that once united to secure independence is now plagued by ongoing conflicts
that have resulted in the highest number of refugees and displaced persons globally? How
is it that Sub-Saharan Africa, despite its wealth of resources, hosts the largest concentration
of least developed countries? Furthermore, how can we reconcile the fact that this region,

endowed with vast natural and human resources, also has the highest number of low-
income countries and the largest share of nations with a low human development index?

Lastly, it is incomprehensible that the area recognized as having the world’s largest arable
landmass is home to the greatest number of hungry and malnourished people. Unity is the
only solution to these dilemmas. A “United Sub-Saharan Africa” will be better equipped to
end poverty, underdevelopment, conflicts, and continued dependency on aid, and be able to solve challenges that Sub-Saharan Africa has faced since independence in the 1960s.

Sub Saharan Africa Through A Global Perspective

The world sees Sub-Saharan Africa as a region with resources that are inexhaustible; the
world sees Sub-Saharan Africa as a region which the Nature has scattered her bounties
with the most lavish land; the world sees Sub-Saharan Africa as a continent with several
might rivers that are navigable and that afford every facility for commerce and intercourse
with the numerous nations and tribes who inhabit the countries and their vicinity.
Furthermore, the world regards the productive capability of Sub-Saharan African soil as of
infinitely more values, especially those which require industry and skills in their culture.
The world looks at Sub-Saharan African forests, and the plains, and the valleys, and the
rich alluvial deltas which it would take centuries to exhaust of their fertility and products.

The world believes that if we were United, our agricultural production would embrace all
the marketable commodities imported from the world market.
In the world’s eyes Sub-Saharan Africa has unlimited tracts of the most fertile portion of the
earth. The world understands Sub-Saharan African forests and wood as extremely valuable
with various species of timber which grow in vast abundance and are easily obtained. In
the world’s eyes, our region has gums, nuts, copal, palm-nuts, shea nuts, kola nuts, and
cocoa nuts; and all kind of fruits- orange, lemons, citrons, limes, pines, guavas, tamarinds,
paw-paws, plantains, bananas, and mangoes, to mention just few; of grain, there are rice,
Indian corn, or millet, etc. The quantities of all these can be raised to any extent and be
limited only by demand; of natural drugs, there are aloes and cassia, frankincense,
cardamoms and grains of paradise.
Among miscellaneous products which are in great demand in the West, there are ivory,
bees’ wax, caoutchouc and many others. The bees’ wax of our region is in great repute and
can be obtained in any quantity. We, Sub-Saharan Africans, know our region has been
blessed by Nature and by divine Providence, and we know our region possesses all the
resources above and even more. But we have been asking: Why are we powerless to make
these resources available to the noblest purposes?

The most valuable advice one of the travelers gave to Sub-Saharan Africans during
colonization was: “Unity and the advantage of your immense natural resources and the
cultivation of your rich lands are the only way You will ever find out a complete
independence, comfort, and wealth.” And he said: “You may, if You please, if God gives You
health and You become as independence as You wish, comfortable and happy as You
ought to be in this world, the flat lands and other natural resources around You can be key!”
So, Why are we powerless to make these resources available to the noblest purposes?
The answer is Clear: Since the 1960s, sub-Saharan Africa and its citizens have faced
significant challenges that have hindered our progress. We have been constrained by weak
institutions, rampant corruption, governance failures, and a glaring absence of visionary
leadership. For too long, elites and institutions have failed to fulfill the aspirations of the
Sub-Saharan African people. Leadership has been lacking in unity and resolve, neglecting
to dismantle the remnants of colonialism that still impact us today. There has been a
prolonged failure to collaboratively forge a “new rising Sub-Saharan Africa” that honors and
reflects our rich history and values. Moreover, leadership has consistently shied away from
uniting to champion our heritage, values, and dignity on the global stage.

Dismal Outlook for the Coming Decades

According to some global financial institutions, “Most of sub-Saharan African countries
can’t be expected to improve their lot because they lack the basic institutions,
infrastructures, and capital needed to develop. In the meantime, Sub-Saharan African
population continues to grow, and it is estimated to reach 2.5 billion persons by 2050.
Future generations will likely be more numerous, poorer, less educated, and more
desperate.”
The dim outlook for swift economic advancement amid persistent population growth has
been characterized by various global institutions as,
Almost a nightmare…. At the national level the socio-economic conditions would be
characterized by a degradation of the very essence of human dignity…. Poverty
would reach unimaginable dimensions …. The conditions in urban centers would
also worsen…. The level of unemployed searching desperately for the means to
survive would imply increase in crime rates and misery.

The current state of Sub-Saharan Africa stands as a poignant reminder of the challenges
we face, as extreme poverty has tragically surged from 282.2 million in 1990 to an
overwhelming 464.2 million in 2024, amid global prosperity during the past five decades. In
contrast, regions like East Asia and the Pacific have made remarkable strides, decreasing
extreme poverty from 1.04 billion in 1990 to just 17.6 million in 2024, while South Asia has
also seen significant progress, reducing the number of individuals living in extreme poverty
from 570.9 million in 1990 to 148.7 million in 2024. On a global scale, the decline in
extreme poverty is encouraging, falling from 2 billion in 1990 to 693 million in 2024.
However, it is heart-wrenching to note that Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only developing
region where extreme poverty continues to rise since 1990, highlighting the urgent need for
a fundamental change.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): “Sub-Sahara Africa is
not the only poor region of the world, but it is the only one with relatively bleak prospects
for the new millennium, fundamental change is imperative.’”

Elite Betrayal

Since gaining independence in the 1960s, sub-Saharan Africa and its people have
experienced a deeply felt sense of stagnation. Many of us carry feelings of frustration,
desperation, and hopelessness, often perceiving our circumstances as an unavoidable fate
with no clear path forward. Yet, we hold a profound understanding of the wealth and
potential our beloved region possesses. We are clear about our aspirations and the direction
we want to take, and we have a deep awareness of the root causes of our challenges. We recognize the solutions that exist for us and are actively seeking to understand the reasons
behind our current state of inertia and stagnation.
We understand that we have faced significant challenges, including ineffective institutions,
pervasive corruption, governance issues, and a lack of visionary leadership; we recognize
that elites and institutions have struggled to meet the aspirations of Sub-Saharan Africa
and its people; we empathize with the frustration of being stifled by leaders who have not
come together to dismantle the lasting impacts of colonialism; we acknowledge the
limitations imposed by leadership that has not united to create a “new nation” that reflects
our rich history and values; we feel the weight of being obstructed by those who have not
united to champion our heritage, our principles, and our dignity on the global stage.
We, as Sub-Saharan Africans, deeply understand that the Pan African vision of unity
across our region is not just an ideal, but a heartfelt necessity for overcoming our shared
challenges, and we hold onto the belief that it is within our reach. This vision has often been
dismissed as unrealistic due to the painful reality that many of our leaders have prioritized
personal gain over our collective strength, allowing former colonial powers to retain
influence while neglecting to empower a strong Sub-Saharan African Union that could truly
serve the people of sub-Saharan Africa. We acknowledge that our region is richly blessed by
nature and divine providence, positioning us among the wealthiest regions on Earth. Yet we
find ourselves pondering why we struggle to harness our vast resources for the greater good,
and the answer is becoming increasingly evident.

Sub-Saharan Africans Must Rise and Act Now

At WeUniteSSA, we firmly believe that in the journey of human society, there are moments when citizens must challenge conventional norms to restore the virtue of their community. We recognize that true sacrifice for the less fortunate and for noble causes does not occur by chance; it demands a deep belief in the righteousness of one’s mission and the greatness of one’s vision. Our goal at the Sub-Saharan African Referendum is clear: to reform the African Union based on the principles of the American federal system of government. The overwhelming majority of people desire unity among Sub-Saharan African nations, yet they have long been marginalized by their leaders. A federal Sub-Saharan Africa is not just a hope; it is essential for overcoming the cycles of poverty, underdevelopment, and dependency that have hindered progress. However, such a transformation will not happen on its own. Sub-Saharan Africans and their allies across the globe must rise to the occasion, igniting a renewed and fervent spirit that will empower citizens to commit to the greater good. Together, let us embody the strength of unity and act with unwavering purpose.

Sub-Saharan Africans Must Now Do the Unthinkable

The challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa demand more than the vague hopes of
Agenda 2063 or the empty promises of past declarations; they call for a resolute unity among
us all. We must come together, recognizing the extraordinary power of our collective efforts
and a renewed commitment to patriotism and citizenship. It is essential that we establish a
genuine Union government that authentically embodies the will of the people, fostering hope
and driving progress for everyone. This is our moment to rally behind a visionary leader who
can guide us toward the realization of a United Sub-Saharan Africa, a dream rich in justice
and the promise of a brighter future for every member of our community.

At WeUniteSSA, we firmly believe that in times of societal challenges, it is imperative
for citizens to stand up and question the status quo in order to restore integrity and justice.
We recognize that making true sacrifices for the less fortunate and for noble causes requires
unwavering conviction in the righteousness of our mission and the greatness of our vision.
We champion a referendum that calls for unity and the establishment of a strong Union
government that embodies the principles of being of the people, by the people, and for the
people, as the sole path forward to address the pressing lingering issues that sub-Saharan
Africa and its people have faced for too long. This collective dream, long nurtured within us,
is not only urgent but also vital and undeniable, representing the hope for a brighter future
that we all deserve.

But a strong Union government in sub-Saharan Africa will not emerge by mere chance; it
requires the steadfast dedication of the people of sub-Saharan Africa and their global allies
to realize this vision. To reach this objective, we must foster a more vibrant and resilient
understanding of Faith that motivates patriotic Sub-Saharan Africans and their supporters
worldwide to fully embrace the values of the common good and humanity. The people of
sub-Saharan Africa have endured far too much. It’s time for a fundamental change.

WeUniteSSA is thrilled to announce the launch of WeUnite Action for Sub-Saharan
Africa, an impactful initiative that captures the collective aspirations of the people and
pursues a noble mission. By collaborating with regional governments, we will advocate for
the essential role of referendums and set forth clear guidelines for their execution. We will
activate nearly 200 dedicated Sentinel activists and 500 grassroots activists across every
nation in Sub-Saharan Africa, empowering them to educate citizens on the referendum
process, their fundamental rights, and the significant advantages of unity. Through WeUnite
Action for Sub-Saharan Africa, we remain resolute in our commitment to amplify the voices
of citizens throughout the region, ensuring that leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa are intimately
connected to the hopes and challenges faced by the communities they serve.

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “A Nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins,” he said. James Adams well put it in
these terms: “No people will tamely surrender their liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffused and virtue is preserved,” he said.

WeUniteSSA’s mission transcends the simple act of changing the conversation; we
are dedicated to reshaping the very essence of Sub-Saharan Africa. With unwavering
passion, we strive to amplify the voices of citizens throughout the region, creating a profound
connection between the leaders of Sub-Saharan Africa and the aspirations and challenges
faced by the communities they represent.
Join us in this vital mission. Your participation in this vital mission is essential. Your generous contributions create a powerful ripple effect within our organization, empowering us to sustain our crucial initiatives and propel our mission with renewed vigor and
commitment. Each donation fuels education efforts, outreach programs, and the logistical support needed to realize this referendum. By giving today, you are helping to forge a future where Sub-Saharan Africa thrives, united and self-governing. Every dollar you invest brings us closer to a reality where our voices resonate, our decisions matter, and the future of Sub-Saharan Africa is truly in the hands of the people, breaking free from the dominance of a select few and outdated conventions and norms.

Unanimous Insights from Scholars on Leadership and Institutions in Post Independence Sub Saharan African Society

While most Sub-Saharan Africans, particularly those from the most deprived and marginalized communities, viewed independence and the exit of Europeans as a chance to dismantle oppressive systems and create institutions that empower them to realize their potential, numerous opportunistic local elites aimed to fill the void left by the departing Europeans and become the new oppressors. Consequently, the leaders who succeeded independence in Sub-Saharan Africa often failed to involve the populace in rebuilding the state and establishing strong institutions, neglecting to create effective and participatory governance and resource distribution frameworks. Instead, these leaders focused on self-serving reforms that allowed them to dominate political arenas and control resource allocation, thus enriching themselves unlawfully at the cost of the broader Sub-Saharan African society.

Beginning in the 1960s, leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa, whether military or civilian, have subjected their people to physical chains and mental abuse. In addition, they have allied with both foreign and domestic figures to plunder their own nations’ resources. The actions of many contemporary Sub-Saharan African leaders and elites mirror those of European colonizers who arrived on the continent in the 15th century, participating in the enslavement of Sub-Saharan African peoples and contributing to the region’s downfall. Thus, while slavery and economic exploitation persist, they have merely transformed under the guise of self-governance. Given the current circumstances, it appears that true liberation and freedom from oppression and inadequate human needs may still be at least fifty years away.

Beyond formal sovereignty, the true meaning of “independence” remains ambiguous. Sub-Saharan Africa has come to be seen as the most impoverished and chaotic area in the developing world, with political and socioeconomic challenges seemingly on the rise. Numerous regions in sub-Saharan Africa are currently plagued by severe poverty, famine, civil conflict, displaced populations, oppressive regimes, widespread corruption, and more. Additionally, many Sub-Saharan Africans experience hardships not just from natural causes but also from political turmoil. While the abuse of power has long been an issue in Sub-Saharan Africa, occurring before and during the colonial period, what is distinctive today is the unprecedented scale of adversity driven by political actions occurring under Sub-Saharan African governance.

According to the public choice theorists, the how institutions inherited from colonialism are constructed, reconstructed and reconstituted is critical to their effectiveness as a tool to regulate the behavior of individuals within a society. If, for example, the construction of institutions is dominated and controlled by center elites (i.e., the process is elite-driven and controlled by political leaders and civil servants or so-called state custodians ) with the relevant stakeholder groups, in this case the peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa, denied the opportunity to participate fully and actively, the result would be inappropriate and non-viable institutions which are likely to become instruments for the maximization of elite interests and objectives, as has been characteristics of post -independence Sub-SaharanAfrican societies.

Over the past fifty years, numerous initiatives and visions aimed at advancing Sub-Saharan Africa’s development have predominantly been proposed by leaders and self-serving elites from within the region, along with other influential organizations, rather than being driven by the Sub-Saharan African populace, who are the essential stakeholders. As a result, the general population often finds itself disconnected from the initiatives, legal frameworks, and future visions articulated by their leaders on their behalf, leading to a significant gap in awareness and understanding of how these developments impact their lives and communities. This disconnection underscores the urgent need for greater inclusivity and participation from the broader public in shaping a future that reflects their aspirations and addresses their needs.

Sub-Saharan African leaders have continually produced a variety of plans and initiatives aimed at addressing their diverse challenges and opportunities. However, a significant concern remains that many of these programs seem to be developed by a select group of elites, often with little to no input from the broader population. As a result, there is frequently a noticeable gap in awareness and understanding of these initiatives among the general public across Sub-Saharan Africa. This disconnect not only hampers community engagement but also limits the potential impact of these programs, leaving many citizens unaware of the opportunities and resources that could directly benefit their lives.

Join the Conversation for Change

Share Your Voice