Political freedom is bankrupt without economic power.

The pursuit of an equitable partnership with former colonial powers, as envisioned by leaders like Laurent Gbagbo, often founders on a harsh geopolitical reality: equity is not granted, it is negotiated from a position of strength. The colonial pact established an enduring power imbalance, and as Mali and Burkina Faso have demonstrated, recalibrating this relationship requires a formidable assertion of sovereignty, often backed by credible force.

However, a sustainable path forward is not solely military. It requires a transformative national strategy, underpinned by both robust institutions and popular support to ensure stability. African governments should emulate the ingenuity of their own entrepreneurs—figures like Stan Zeze, who successfully localized an international concept with his rating agency. By championing such home-grown initiatives, states can build economic sovereignty and break the cycle of financial dependency.

A key arena for this transformation is the financial sector. While institutions like the BVRM exist, they remain underutilized. We must revitalize them by leveraging national assets, much as Iran did with its oil exchange. This would mobilize domestic capital and reduce reliance on external financial systems. Furthermore, the chronic issue of financial inclusion must be addressed at its root. The low banking rate, caused by prohibitive costs and foreign-owned banking infrastructures, is merely masked by the convenience of mobile money. 

True development requires not just technological workarounds, but courageous leadership willing to reform archaic administrative procedures and build financial systems that truly serve our people.

Political sovereignty, while fundamental, proves insufficient if not rapidly translated into tangible economic freedom. The case of South Africa stands as a poignant example, where political liberation has been followed by prolonged economic challenges for the majority of its people.

Yusuf Monhaté