April 20, 2026

Watch my presentation in which I presented a brief overview of the necessity for the long overdue industrialization of Africa. This would require massive investments in infrastructure, especially in the manufacturing sector. Colonialism, neocolonialism, and the inadequacy l of the global financial institutions, have deprived Africa of these basic elementary building blocks for a developing economy.

I have discussed for many years the necessity of having an institution dedicated to issuing credit for infrastructure. In consultation with my African friends and colleagues we understand the need for the creation of an African infrastructure Development Bank. This institution would have only one lending purpose: providing long-term, low-interest credits for infrastructure. It would be prohibited from paying other outstanding debts or other expenses unrelated to this single objective. The need for such a credit bank is that there are no other financial institutions that will fund long-term investments in infrastructure. The private sector is not capable of making such investments. Although they can make significant contributions to the process of expanding the productive capacity of African economies. Historically, economic development has taken place with state-led industrialization. This has been the case in Europe, Asia, and the United States. The contributions of Alexander Hamilton and Sun Yat sun are exemplary.

Public or government backed credits can be allocated for low interest-rates for long-term loans necessary for infrastructure, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors.

I know that without this credit generating  institution of development credits, African nations will not be capable of providing for the daily needs of its citizens. President Franklin Roosevelt understood this. That is why he advocated at the Bretton Woods Conference in July 1944, for the creation of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Sadly, his policies died with him on April 12, 1945. Read: Franklin Roosevelt Intended to Industrialize the ‘Global South’: The Case of Ethiopia

Let me be absolutely clear. Without such a credit bank providing investments in essential, elementary infrastructure, Africa will not become industrialized. Thus, abandoning African nations to be plagued with the failure of abject poverty. However, with such a properly administered credit institution, we can eliminate hunger and poverty in African nations in one generation.

Read below, my previous articles on this topic:

Presidents Roosevelt and Xi Would Have Agreed on Developing the Global South

A Hamiltonian Development Policy for Africa Is A Necessity

For the Development of Africa: Know and Apply Franklin Roosevelt’s Credit Policy

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lkfreemansafrica