As Zambia commemorates Africa Freedom Day and reflects on the dawn of freedom, the onward progress of the liberation movement, and the determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation, it is important we do not forget Africa’s prolonged development challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. Despite the recent remarkable development gains by some sub-Saharan African countries — driven by a combination of factors like increasing democratization and transparency, strengthening and reform of governance institutions, surge in commodity prices, and the adoption and implementation of more effective macro-economic policies, the region still faces daunting sustainable development challenges.
