Greed and Corruption hindering African development – Dr. Richard Silumbe
Greed and Corruption hindering African development - Dr. Richard Silumbe
By Hellen Bwalya
Leadership greed, and systemic corruption remain the primary obstacles to Africa’s economic independence, according to experts speaking at the 2025 Multi-Disciplinary Conference at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) on Lusaka’s Great East Road.
The forum, organized by the Zambia Research and Development Centre (ZRDC) in collaboration with the Information and Communications University, convened local and international innovators to address the continent’s developmental challenges.
Dr. Richard Silumbe, President of the Leadership Movement and ZRDC Board Chairperson, told attendees that Africa’s poverty is not a result of resource scarcity but of “unchecked greed” within leadership structures. He argued that while the continent possesses vast wealth in copper, lithium, and uranium, these assets are often sold to foreign interests at undervalued rates to benefit a political elite.
“Greed is the source of all evil and poverty in Africa,” Dr. Silumbe stated. “The corruption we are witnessing today is a direct product of greedy leadership willing to sell national assets for personal and political gain.”
Dr. Silumbe highlighted a growing trend of resource nationalism, citing Niger, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Namibia as examples of nations reclaiming control over their minerals.
Dr. Silumbe questioned Zambia’s own political will to secure its natural wealth for future generations, warning that the country risks repeating 19th-century patterns of exploitation if it does not shift toward transparency and value addition.
The call for a shift from rhetoric to action was echoed by Dr. Inga Koryagina, Head of International Development for Russia-Africa and Expert of the State Duma.
Dr. Koryagina urged African leaders to adopt critical thinking and adaptability to foster self-reliance. “Let’s stop sharing ideas and be action-oriented to help grow countries in a sustainable way,” Dr. Koryagina advised.
Addressing the role of human capital, ZRDC Director, Dr. Chishala Bwalya disclosed that the center has empowered 13,500 students as future research engineers.
Opening the fourth annual assembly of the conference, Dr. Bwalya emphasized that the continent must transition from being a consumer of global knowledge to a creator of indigenous solutions.
The three-day conference concludes with a call for ethical, patriotic leadership to replace the “cancer” of corruption with people-centered development, ensuring Africa’s resources benefit the many rather than a select few.
About The Author
