Reflecting on the experiences that came with the opportunity to lead the Federation of African Engineering Organizations (FAEO) as its 6th President, I have come to believe that The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart. — Kwame Nkrumah For too long, African engineers have been sidelined from the policy formulation and implementation processes that shape our continent’s destiny. The vision of Africa’s best future is enshrined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) positioned as a key vehicle for achieving economic integration and industrialization. Yet, engineers—the very architects of infrastructure, technology, and industry—are largely absent from the tables where these strategies are designed and executed. How can Africa’s transformation be realized without the strategic involvement of those who build and sustain its foundation? Rwanda stands as a glaring example of how Africa’s history has been wrongly written, twisted by conspirators whose narratives serve external interests rather than African reality. This is not just Rwanda’s story—it is Africa’s affliction. When history is incorrectly recorded, solutions to problems become misguided, leading to perpetual cycles of failure. How can one cure a disease when the diagnosis itself is flawed? The prescription of unworkable policies, foreign models, and externally imposed solutions has only deepened Africa’s wounds rather than healing them. The engineering of falsehoods has shaped policies that continue to cripple African progress. From colonial legacies of division to neocolonial structures that maintain economic dependency, Africa’s engineering solutions must begin with rewriting its truth. Engineers, more than any other professionals, must reject the flawed foundations laid by incorrect history and insist on a new blueprint—one built on the true strengths, aspirations, and potential of the continent. The conflicts afflicting our continent—many of which stem from neocolonial economic dependencies and governance failures—underscore a fundamental truth: sustainable development cannot be achieved without self-reliance in engineering and technology. Yet, Africa continues to import solutions that do not fit its unique realities. Foreign dependency persists because African engineers have not collectively asserted their rightful role as problem-solvers and policy influencers. The result is a vicious cycle where Africa remains an exporter of raw materials and an importer of finished goods, perpetuating economic stagnation and social instability. Engineering is not just about building bridges and skyscrapers—it is about designing systems that drive prosperity, sustainability, and social harmony. Engineers must transition from being mere implementers of imported blueprints to co-creators of Africa’s future. This requires a paradigm shift: Collaboration – Engineers across Africa must unite beyond national borders to share knowledge, expertise, and strategies for localized solutions that address common challenges such as infrastructure deficits, energy poverty, and technological gaps. Participation – Engineers must engage actively in policy discussions at national and continental levels. The formulation of engineering policies should not be left solely to politicians and economists. Joint Ownership – Infrastructure projects should not just be designed by African engineers but also owned and controlled by African institutions to ensure sustainability and economic benefits remain within the continent. Co-Entrepreneuring – Engineers must embrace entrepreneurship, forming multidisciplinary coalitions that drive industrialization, value addition, and innovation in Africa’s key economic sectors. Multidisciplinary Coalition of Professionals (MCP) – By forming a united front of African and diaspora professionals—including engineers, economists, policy experts, and entrepreneurs—Africa can take control of its development agenda and ensure that solutions are informed by indigenous knowledge and expertise. Collaborative Engineering Innovation Sandboxes (CEIS) – These platforms can serve as testing grounds for homegrown solutions, allowing engineers and innovators to experiment, refine, and deploy technologies that are suited to Africa’s unique contexts and challenges. Competence and Performance Metrics – The measure of engineering competence must be guided by HAIR (Helicopter view, Analysis, Imaginations, Reality), ensuring a comprehensive approach to problem-solving that aligns with Africa’s realities. Meanwhile, performance should be defined by STEIC (Social responsibility, Transparency, Ethical standards, Integrity, Collaboration), fostering mutual respect, shared benefits, and long-term sustainability. If Africa remains dependent on external engineering expertise for its development, can it truly claim to be independent? If engineers do not claim their seat at the decision-making table, who will advocate for technological self-reliance? If engineering remains reactive rather than proactive, how will Africa ever break free from cycles of underdevelopment? Kwame Nkrumah’s words remind us that the unity of purpose among Africans is greater than external forces that seek to divide and exploit us. African engineers must now embody this unity—not just in rhetoric but in practical, collective action. We must break barriers, reject complacency, and step boldly into leadership roles that shape policies, drive innovations, and build resilient, self-sufficient nations. An incorrect diagnosis leads only to prolonged suffering. Africa has been prescribed unworkable solutions because its challenges have been misdiagnosed by external forces with little understanding of its reality. It is time for engineers to step forward and insist on solutions that come from within, driven by knowledge of Africa’s true potential and needs. The foundation for Africa’s true renaissance begins with rewriting its history correctly, acknowledging its real strengths, and leveraging multidisciplinary coalitions and innovation hubs to lead its transformation. The time to act is now. Africa’s engineers must rise—not as spectators but as architects of the continent’s true liberation and transformation. Let us move from the sidelines to the decision table and build the Africa we want, powered by our own ingenuity, collaboration, and willpower.
