THERE HAVE been quite a few rounds of insightful debates in Kigali in the last few days as the African Development Bank (AfDB) celebrated its 50 years of existence.

The high level caliber of the exchanges by panels made up of top political figures, academia, members of the business world and civil society, was an indication that Africa has what it takes to move forward.

So the question that was on many a mind was; why was the continent stagnant? What was missing?

One point that many seemed to agree on was that the continent’s leadership had failed it. Political will was a rare commodity when it came to implementing resolutions. That is why most of Africa is still stuck with pre- colonial infrastructure.

50 years down the road, Africa should begin walking the talk. Judging from the ideas exchanged and the solutions envisaged for the continent’s problems, its elite know it’s ailments, but as the saying goes; old habits die hard.

Unless countries are ready to look beyond myopic and archaic narrow interests that in the end don’t even pay dirt, they will still be wallowing in poverty 50 years from today. Misplaced arguments of "sovereignty” will not put food on the table, integration will.

But it is encouraging that some countries – especially in the East African region – have woken to the fact that regional integration is their only salvation. 

Movement restrictions that had hampered inter-regional trade were the first to go, and the dividends are beginning to payoff. Africa can do the same.