Kingsley Moghalu

I am increasingly worried about the lack of clarity surrounding what truly drives development in African countries. Too often, we chase shadows, celebrating surface-level progress while neglecting the core foundations of national transformation.

The first and most essential prerequisite for development is effective governance, the organizing principle of any society. This begins with the protection of life and property, the establishment of strong institutions, and the rule of law. Citizens must have confidence that they are safe and that justice will be served without fear or favor. Without this foundation, there can be no sustainable economic productivity. This is why ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the relentless spread of terrorism across the Sahel are major obstacles to Africa’s progress. Until these threats are decisively confronted and defeated, true development will remain elusive.

Accountability under the law is another critical pillar. Individuals, regardless of position or power, must be equal before the law. That is the distinction between a civilized society and a jungle where might is right. In Israel, a sitting prime minister has faced trial for alleged ethical breaches; in South Korea, a president has been impeached and removed from office. In how many African countries have we witnessed such accountability?

Without these foundations of order and justice, macroeconomic strategies, poverty alleviation programs, or foreign investments cannot deliver genuine transformation. At best, they create pockets of temporary relief, not systemic change.

True governance must be measured by its ability to deliver four fundamental outcomes:

✅ Security of lives and property
✅ Effective taxation built on a social contract with citizens
✅ Quality social services such as healthcare, education, and social protection
✅ A business environment that encourages wealth creation and innovation

These outcomes define a nation’s state capacity, the ability of government institutions to function effectively and serve citizens. To achieve them, Africa needs capable states supported by professional, well-trained civil services that can implement policies consistently across generations.

According to the World Bank, African countries lose an estimated $1.2 trillion in GDP annually due to weak institutions. Only three countries — Mauritius, Seychelles, and Botswana — currently rank among the world’s top 50 in governance effectiveness. This is a sobering reality.

There is often excessive emphasis on markets as the engine of development. While functioning markets are vital, they cannot thrive without the foundation of a capable state. It is the state that ensures predictability, enforces contracts, protects property rights, and builds the infrastructure that markets depend upon.

This is not an argument for government control of markets, price-setting, or overregulation. It is a call for intelligent governance, one that creates the right conditions for markets and citizens to flourish.

Africa’s future prosperity depends on a sober understanding of these fundamentals. Development is not a slogan or a project; it is a system built on capable governance, strong institutions, and an unshakeable commitment to accountability. Only then can we truly build the African century.

Kingsley Moghalu is the Founder of IGET Academy, CEO of Sogato Strategies LLC, and currently serves as the Inaugural President and Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Governance (2024–2025). A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he is widely recognized as a transformational thought leader and governance reform advocate.