Development leaders in Nairobi discuss new models as foreign aid shrinks

The two-day conference, hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, brings together policymakers, economists, business leaders, and development practitioners to explore how trade, investment, and private enterprise can complement or replace traditional development assistance. This discussion reflects a shift towards partnerships prioritizing national ownership, market access, technology transfer, and investment-driven growth, moving beyond donor-recipient relationships. Zainab Hawa Bangura, director-general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, emphasized the need to adapt quickly and deliver visible results.

The conference addresses financial pressures on developing economies, uneven progress on Sustainable Development Goals, and budget constraints in donor countries. Speakers advocate for future development frameworks to emphasize economic partnerships that generate long-term growth over sole reliance on aid. Ralf Erbel, the foundation’s project director for East Africa and Global Partnership, stated that development cooperation should be built on agency and trust, not paternalism.

For African countries facing growing financing needs and fiscal pressures, this debate is particularly significant. The conference aims to produce recommendations for improving development partnerships, strengthenin