As we be Africans, one question we suppose dey start ask ourselves for serious: wetin go happen if one day the countries wey dey manufacture many things wey we depend on decide say dem no fit supply us again?

This question no be to blame West, East or anybody.

Africa need the world and the world need Africa. Our future suppose base on trade, partnership, investment, technology transfer and cooperation with everybody.

But cooperation no suppose turn permanent dependence. For too long we don too comfortable as consumers. We dey buy smartphones, machines, medicines, vehicles, industrial equipment, software and plenty other things wey dem make for other places.

We dey admire the technology, but we no dey too stop ask: wetin e go take make African company design am, manufacture am and sell am to the world?

That mindset suppose change. Africa get people, natural resources and markets wey dey grow to become more than just supplier of raw materials and consumer of finished products. Wetin we need na better productivity, strong skills, innovation and courage to build.

Proof dey already show us where the opportunity dey.

How we go build resilience

UN Trade and Development don warn say African economies still dey vulnerable because wey dem depend on commodity exports, external markets and imported inputs.

At the same time dem point to our young population, natural resources and expanding markets as big opportunities if Africa fit strengthen im productive capacity and regional trade.

African Continental Free Trade Area dey give us big chance to change the equation.

Instead of 54 countries dey think only about their own markets, Africa fit become one big market where product wey dem design for Zambia fit be manufactured with parts from Kenya, financed from South Africa, powered by African energy and sold all over the continent.

Na so we go build resilience. We no suppose dey ask only 'Where we go import this?' But we suppose dey ask more 'We fit produce this competitive for Africa?'

That no mean say Africa suppose manufacture everything. No continent fit or suppose do everything alone. The aim na smarter economic interdependence: produce wetin we get capability and potential to produce, import wetin make economic sense, and build the skills and technologies wey go allow us move higher for global value chains.

Example: Zambia

Make we consider Zambia.

We get copper, but the opportunity pass only copper mining. 2026 UNCTAD assessment find over 400 products across 25 sectors wey Zambia fit realistically diversify into, including plenty wey connect to energy-transition minerals.

Main opportunity na to move from just extracting resources to creating more businesses, skills, technologies and products around those resources. Na wetin 'Grow Zambia' suppose mean to young Zambian.

E suppose mean economy wey agriculture no be only about producing maize, soya or wheat, but also processing, packaging, making machines and developing technologies for agriculture.

E suppose mean say copper no go dey exported only as mineral, but go become chance for making cables, electrical equipment, components and other industries. E suppose mean say our energy potential go power factories, farms, mines, businesses and digital industries.

E suppose mean say young person wey get idea go dey encouraged to become producer, entrepreneur, engineer, scientist, farmer, technician, programmer or manufacturer — no be only person wey dey find job. And this need different approach to education. Africa no just need more certificates. We need skills wey dey solve problems.

World Bank talk say technical and vocational training wey align with industry fit improve employment, productivity and entrepreneurship, while Zambia copper opportunity go need stronger engineering, research and technology capabilities.

How to fix the mindset

Future go belong to countries wey fit learn quick, adapt quick and produce competitive.

Artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, advanced agriculture, digital finance, robotics and modern manufacturing no be technologies only for Europe, America or Asia. Dem na opportunities for African youth.

So our challenge no be just to consume the future. We must build am. Make we learn from the world without become permanently dependent. Make we welcome investors without give up our ambition. Make we export our minerals but also build industries around dem.

Make we use foreign technology but develop our own capabilities. Make we work with the world while we dey strong to stand well for inside am. Africa biggest resource no be only wetin dey under ground — na wetin dey between the ears of our young people.

Question no be again whether Africa fit build. Question na whether we get courage, discipline and mindset to start build for big scale. Na the spirit of Grow Zambia. Na the mindset wey Africa need.

Author Kennedy Chileshe na Executive Director of Jubilee Leaders Network for Zambia.

Disclaimer: The views wey the author talk no necessarily reflect opinions, viewpoints and editorial policy of TRT Afrika.