Podcast Summary: Into Africa

Episode: Finding Paths to Sustainable Development in Africa
Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Mvemba Phezo Dizolele (CSIS)
Guest: Ndidi Nwuneli (President & CEO, ONE Campaign)

Overview

This episode of Into Africa explores how advocacy, partnerships, and innovation are changing the landscape of sustainable development on the African continent. Host Mvemba Phezo Dizolele speaks with Ndidi Nwuneli, President and CEO of the ONE Campaign, about how organizations like hers work to reshape global perceptions, mobilize investments, and foster a new generation of African agency and leadership.

The conversation covers the evolving role of NGOs, bridges between sectors, financing for development and health, the impact of advocacy, and the "quiet revolution" of African social entrepreneurship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reframing Africa's Narrative and the Role of Advocacy

• Challenging Old Narratives: Ndidi highlights her commitment to shifting the outdated imagery of Africa as a “dark hole” or purely as a recipient of aid, emphasizing the continent's growth, innovation, and potential (03:05).
  • Quote: “We’re kind of stuck in a narrative … that the face of Africa is a hungry child and the face of poverty is a female farmer from Africa. And I’m committed to changing that.” – Ndidi (03:22)
• The ONE Campaign’s Mission: ONE’s history of advocating for debt relief, health initiatives (PEPFAR, GAVI), and over $1 trillion in investments directed to Africa demonstrates advocacy’s power when combined with data, storytelling, and cross-sector partnerships (03:56, 09:05).

2. Building Bridges: Private Sector Meets Advocacy

• Three-legged Stool Model: Ndidi describes sustainable development as requiring the collaboration of the public sector (policy), private sector (jobs and wealth), and civil society (data and accountability). Her background across all three allows her to build credible bridges (05:40).
  • “For economies to develop, you need all three legs of the stool working collaboratively … and holding each other accountable.” – Ndidi (05:49)
• Return on Investment (ROI): Applying a business mindset to the development world, Ndidi stresses the need to demonstrate the societal and mutual benefits of development investments for both Africans and international partners (06:43).

3. Evolution and Vision of the ONE Campaign (09:05–12:20)

• Origins and Tools: Founded as DATA (Debt, Aid, Trade for Africa) by Bono and others, ONE leverages:
  • Data and AI for evidence-driven advocacy.
  • Trusted messengers (faith leaders, youth, celebrities) for amplification.
  • Government relations for accountability.
  • Partnerships across continents for grassroots and “grass-tops” impact (09:35).
• Global Footprint: Offices in G7 countries and multiple African nations provide a strong platform for both outward advocacy and local ownership of initiatives (10:54).
  • Quote: “Our mission is clearly spelled out that we only focus on Africa … But our vision is that Africa is an equal player.” – Ndidi (11:34)

4. Fair Financing, Cost of Capital, and Global Partnerships

• The African Cost of Capital: African nations face unfair debt premiums, leading to debt distress and systemic underinvestment. ONE campaigns for solutions like fairer terms, homegrown credit ratings, and concessional financing (13:30).
  • Example: Advocacy for lower-interest loans (through IDA/World Bank) and support for African credit rating agencies.
• Follow-the-Money Approach: ONE not only campaigns internationally but also tracks how funds are used on the continent, pushing for both transparency and higher impact (16:10).
  • “You need to be doing this work on the African continent, but you also need to be doing the same advocacy work in all of our centers of economic and financial power.” – Ndidi (16:52)

5. Grassroots Advocacy and the Role of African Youth

• Advocacy Ecosystem in Africa: Growing networks of think tanks, civil society, and youth champions partner with ONE to demand change at the African Union and national levels (17:42).
• Mandela’s Legacy and a New Generation: Reminders of past advocacy successes (‘Make Poverty History’ campaign) fuel the push for youth leadership (19:49).
  • “We must not relent … generations are depending on us for what we do in this moment.” – Ndidi (18:29)

6. Amplifying African Voices

• Media and Narrative Shift: ONE’s “Africa’s One Voice” newsletter and targeted campaigns at global events aim to inject African perspectives into international discourses (21:04).
  • Quote: “It was important that we’re sitting in Berlin … and we’re hearing what Africans want.” – Ndidi (21:41)
• Innovative Campaigns: Use of storytelling and data, e.g., the “$1 spent on development saves you $103 on conflict” campaign at the Munich Security Conference, helps reframe the cost–benefit of investment (22:03).

7. Major Shifts Affecting Advocacy for Africa

• African Agency: Africans are increasingly demanding to define their future, rather than accepting outside prescriptions.
• Changing Geopolitics: The “my country first” trend globally pressures Africans to increase self-sufficiency.
• Trust & Technology: With shifting sources of trusted voices and new tech platforms, advocacy tactics must adapt to misinformation and changing influence (24:17, 23:47).
  • Quote: “People listen and trust individuals who are their next-door neighbors ...There’s a real trust deficit in our society.” – Ndidi (25:08)

8. Navigating Technology and Countering Misinformation

• New Advocacy Models: Ubuntu Circles (cross-sector advisory groups), faith councils, creative and tech councils, and the A1 Academy to train young activists (27:02).
• “Combination of Levers”: Using a mix of grassroots mobilization, strategic partnerships, and technology to stay responsive and effective.

9. Redefining Partnership & Sustainable Financing Models

• Beyond Aid: Sustainable development now demands partnerships between African and international financiers, philanthropists, governments, and the diaspora (29:20).
• Co-Designing Health Financing: Building “catalytic long-term funds” that are Africa-led and focused on accountability, transparency, and ownership (29:56).

10. Public Health and Domestic Resource Mobilization

• Health Financing Shift: African governments and civil society are increasingly invested in building resilient, self-funded health systems (32:04).
  • Quote: “We have missed the mark, but we’re going to do better.” – Ndidi (33:17)
• Pandemic Lessons & Vaccine Sovereignty: New models like the Africa Vaccine Manufacturers Accelerator empower African-made vaccine production (34:00).
  • Real-life progress in Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda highlighted.

11. Corruption, Illicit Finance, and Accountability

• Illicit Flows: Approximately $89 billion annually is lost through illicit flows—plugging these leaks could fund health and infrastructure.
• International Accountability: Both African and European partners must act, leveraging technology to follow money and ensure repatriation of stolen assets (36:13).

12. Migration and Human Capital

• Root Causes & Narrative Shift: ONE doesn't tackle migration directly but addresses economic growth as a key driver.
  • Migration, when voluntary and dignified, is framed as opportunity—Africa is already a critical workforce supplier globally, especially in healthcare (39:40).
  • Quote: “The NHS would shut down for a day ... many cities in America would shut down for a day because they have African nurses and doctors who they did not train, but they’re benefiting from their skills.” – Ndidi (40:45)

13. Education & Social Innovation

• Education Gaps: Progress is evident but old models persist; new, African-led educational innovations are needed to ready youth for 21st-century opportunities (42:31).
  • Examples: NUVA Pioneer schools (South Africa/Kenya), mDoc health innovation in Nigeria (43:19–44:10).
• Quiet Revolution: Across sectors, African social entrepreneurs innovate despite systemic challenges.
  • “There’s a quiet revolution ongoing.” – Ndidi (44:41)
  • Quote: “Their names might not be known in the West, but they are sitting on the continent and they are making change happen.” – Ndidi (43:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Where you’re born should not determine whether you live.” — Ndidi (09:35)
• “This is a great time to advocate for Africa. This is a great time to build bridges, and it’s a great time to champion the causes we believe are critical for humanity.” — Ndidi (12:09)
• “Advocacy is a lot more difficult than running a business. It’s a long-term fight.” – Ndidi (18:06)
• “We know nobody’s coming to save us. We have to save ourselves and get our act together.” — Ndidi (24:06)
• “If Africans decided they were not going to work in the healthcare system in the UK, NHS would shut down for a day... because they have African nurses and doctors who they did not train, but they’re benefiting from their skills.” — Ndidi (40:45)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• ONE Campaign’s Impact and Origins – 09:05–12:20
• African Agency & Ownership – 13:30–17:20
• Advocacy Networks on the Ground – 17:42–20:10
• Amplifying African Voices Globally – 21:04–23:23
• Major Shifts in Development and Media – 23:47–26:28
• Countering Misinformation and Building Future Advocates – 27:02–28:54
• Redefining Partnerships and Sustainable Finance – 29:20–32:04
• Health Sovereignty & Pandemic Lessons – 34:00–35:33
• Illicit Flows and Accountability Demands – 36:13–38:01
• Migration, Opportunity, and Human Capital – 39:40–42:14
• Education Innovations and Social Entrepreneurship – 42:31–44:41

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive view of how African and international partnerships can—and must—evolve for true sustainable development. Ndidi Nwuneli’s insights emphasize the importance of reframing Africa’s narrative, building robust local ownership, and fostering a new generation of advocates and innovators. The tone is passionate, data-driven, and forward-looking, with a consistent focus on African agency, resilience, and the quest for equity on the global stage.