Trade Not Aid Is the Wrong Debate for Africa

Africa is often framed through the lens of aid, but in an era of global competition over critical minerals, infrastructure, and markets, the debate over “trade not aid” misses a larger point.In this episode of The Africa Program Podcast, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele speaks with Daniele Nyirandutiye, partner at Desmos Capital Partners and former USAID mission director in Uganda, about how development assistance has helped build the regulatory systems, capital markets, and business environments that make trade possible. She argues that commercial diplomacy alone cannot succeed without the technical foundation that development provides.The conversation explores U.S. competitiveness, small and medium enterprises, fintech innovation, and why investors should look beyond headline sectors to find opportunity across Africa.A timely discussion on trade, development, and the long-term strategy needed to unlock Africa’s economic potential.