It was during a community event a few years ago that I first realized just how deep the cycle of dependency runs in our mindset. A group of young people were discussing their frustrations from the economy lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, and government inaction. One of them, barely out of high school, said with a resigned tone, “We’re waiting for the government to fix this. What else can we do?”
His words hit me like a brick. Not because he was wrong there’s truth to the fact that governments hold responsibility but because it reflected something bigger: a culture of waiting. Waiting for someone else to solve our problems. Waiting for opportunities to be handed to us. Waiting for a system to change instead of changing it ourselves.
Dependency isn’t just a habit it’s a mindset. And if we want to move forward, we have to break the cycle.
Where Dependency Comes From
To understand dependency, we have to look at where it began. For many African nations, colonialism wasn’t just about taking resources; it was about creating systems where locals relied on the colonizers for everything education, healthcare, and jobs. This dependency was a form of control, and even after independence, the mindset lingered.
Post-independence governments, eager to provide stability, often centralized power and resources, creating a dynamic where citizens looked to the state for solutions. The narrative became clear: the government is responsible for everything, and if something goes wrong, it’s their fault. Over time, this created a culture of blame and waiting, where initiative took a back seat to expectation.
But dependency isn’t just about governments. It shows up in how we interact with foreign aid, in how businesses rely on imports instead of building local industries, and even in education systems that teach us to seek jobs rather than create them. The cycle feeds itself, leaving many of us feeling powerless to change our circumstances.
Why Dependency Holds Us Back
Dependency might feel safe, but it comes at a cost. When we wait for others to solve our problems, we give up our power to act. We stop thinking creatively, stop innovating, and stop believing that we’re capable of creating change.
Take unemployment, for example. Every year, thousands of young Africans graduate with degrees, only to find that the jobs they were promised don’t exist. Instead of looking for alternative paths to entrepreneurship, freelancing, or skills training many fall into a cycle of frustration, waiting for the job market to improve or for governments to create opportunities.
And it’s not just individuals who suffer. Communities lose out on the ideas, energy, and solutions that could come from their people. Economies remain stagnant, reliant on external aid and imports instead of building industries that add value locally. Dependency keeps us looking outward for answers when the real solutions often lie within.
Breaking the Cycle
Breaking free from dependency isn’t easy. It requires a shift in mindset, a willingness to take risks, and a commitment to doing the hard work of building something new. But it’s possible. Here’s how we start:
- Take Responsibility for What You Can Control: The first step is recognizing that while you can’t change everything, you can change something. Whether it’s learning a new skill, starting a side hustle, or organizing a community project, taking action no matter how small is the antidote to waiting.
- Focus on Local Solutions: Africa is full of challenges, but it’s also full of opportunities. Instead of looking for external solutions, we need to tap into our own resources, creativity, and ingenuity. From farming cooperatives to tech startups, the most sustainable solutions are the ones that come from within.
- Invest in Yourself: Dependency thrives when people feel powerless. Education formal or informal is a tool for empowerment. Read widely, learn new skills, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to think differently.
- Support and Build Local Economies: Instead of buying imported goods, support local businesses. Instead of working in isolation, collaborate with others in your community. Economic independence starts with small, deliberate choices.
Dependency isn’t just about economics or politics it’s about how we see ourselves. If we believe that we’re powerless and that our future depends on someone else, we’ll never take the steps needed to change our circumstances. But when we start to see ourselves as capable, as creators, as leaders, everything shifts.
I think about that young man at the community event sometimes. I wonder if he’s still waiting or if he’s found the courage to take a step forward. Because here’s the truth: the world isn’t going to hand us the future we want. We have to build it ourselves.
Breaking the cycle of dependency starts with a choice a choice to stop waiting, stop blaming, and start acting. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Because the moment we stop relying on others and start believing in ourselves, we unlock the potential that’s been there all along.
And that’s how we move forward not just as individuals, but as a continent. Together. One step at a time.
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