Former South African President Jacob Zuma has reiterated his long-held belief that Africa’s progress hinges on unity, urging countries on the continen
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has reiterated his long-held belief that Africa’s progress hinges on unity, urging countries on the continent to integrate their economies and resist external manipulation that continues to stifle development.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 edition of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) annual leadership lecture, Jacob Zuma said Africa remained the most exploited continent despite its rich resources, mainly because of disunity and continued dependence on external powers.
“Africa has suffered more than any other continent. The time has come for us to stand on our own. Our enemies know how to buy our own people and turn us against each other so they can exploit our resources. This must stop,” Zuma declared.
The lecture was held under the theme: “The geopolitics and geo-economics of de-dollarisation: BRICS currency strategy, lessons for Africa’s common currency and beyond.”
The event attracted high-profile dignitaries, including former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu.
Linking the Past to the Present
Jacob Zuma praised Ghana for its historic role in Africa’s liberation struggle, describing the country’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as a visionary who laid the foundation for continental unity.
“Kwame Nkrumah was an honest man who wanted the best for Africa. Ghana’s history in the liberation of our people must not be forgotten,” he stressed.
Since independence in 1957, Ghana has been at the forefront of Pan-African ideals. Nkrumah’s dream of a “United States of Africa” was echoed in the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, now the African Union (AU).
However, critics argue that African nations have often failed to match rhetoric with practical steps towards integration, as trade barriers, political instability, and external interference persist.
Call For Integration And Resistance To Neo-Colonialism
The former South African leader emphasized that both economic and political integration were necessary if Africa was to achieve true independence and prosperity.
He condemned the continued influence of foreign powers, which he said deliberately fuel conflicts and divisions to maintain control.
“Africa’s resources are being unfairly harnessed by the rest of the world. We have modelled our economies to serve others, but we have not had substantial benefit. We must change this model, and we must do it together,” Zuma said.
He noted that intra-African trade remained low compared to other continents, largely because colonial-era economic models were designed to connect African countries to Europe rather than to each other.
National Reflections From Ghana
Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu, who addressed the gathering, described the UPSA lecture as a vital platform for shaping national and global conversations.
“This lecture helps us confront some of the most pressing issues facing Ghana, Africa, and the world. We must use it to inspire solutions,” he said.
The Chancellor of UPSA, Dr. K.K. Sarpong, also underscored the importance of Africans taking control of their destinies.
“We cannot remain spectators. We must be architects of our own destiny, building strong institutions and trading on our own terms,” he noted.
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