Billions Of Dollars Flowing To Africa As Grants Have Been Wasted – BACCIMA Chairman Laments

By Akinwale Kasali

The Chairman, Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, BACCIMA, Hon. Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki, has expressed his dissatisfaction over bureaucratic bottlenecks and political patronage that has often affected the effectiveness of international development assistance in Africa.

Danmaliki decried billions of Dollars that have, for decades flowed from Western donors and development partners into Africa under the banner of aid, grants, and development support, which have not metamorphosed into anything positive.

He made this call at the International Business Conference & EXPO 2025 organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He further stressed that the vast sums have often yielded little or no visible impact on the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking further, he said the grants and support falls into private foreign bank accounts, Instead of driving progress, it has too often fueled dependency, waste, and disillusionment.

“This is not to diminish the goodwill of our partners. On the contrary—we remain deeply grateful for their friendship and their consistent support. But gratitude must not blind us to reality. The current approach is broken. It is time for change”, he stated.

Danmaliki however appeal to the donors to continue to invest in Africa through the private sector, not only through governments.

“The African private sector—our entrepreneurs, our chambers of commerce, our small and medium enterprises—are the true engines of sustainable growth.

“We create jobs, we generate innovation, we build industries, and we are rooted in our communities. When resources are channeled through us, every dollar is more likely to translate into real factories, real farms, real hospitals, and real opportunities for ordinary citizens.

“We do not reject governments. They remain important partners in policy and regulation. But the balance must change.

“Development funds should be directed where accountability, transparency, and productivity are stronger—and that is in the private sector.

“Africa is not asking for charity. We are asking for investment that produces mutual benefit. Let donor support be transformed into venture financing, impact investments, credit guarantees, and infrastructure partnerships that empower private actors to deliver growth.

“In this way, the international community will see measurable results, local communities will feel the impact, and Africa will stand taller as a partner rather than a perpetual recipient”.

He appealed that aid must continue to evolve in building a stronger Africa, invest through the private sector.