Veteran Egyptian diplomat and former Assistant Secretary-General of the Africa Union, Ambassador Ahmed Haggag, has urged African nations to stop blaming Western powers for the continent's challenges and instead focus on building a united, self-determined future.

Speaking to JoyNews' Emmanuel Dzivenu on the sidelines of the 60th Union of African Journalists (UAJ) Training for Young African Journalists, Ambassador Haggag said while colonial exploitation played a role in Africa's underdevelopment, continued finger-pointing would not deliver transformation.

"Yes, the West exploited Africa during colonial times - but we must stop placing all blame there. We must focus on improving education and innovation. Why do so many African doctors leave for the UK or Germany? Because they find better pay and research facilities abroad. Instead, we should be circulating skilled professionals within Africa," he said.

Ambassador Haggag, who has worked across multiple African countries during his 12-year tenure with the AU indicated that a shift in Africa’s diplomatic posture from passive to proactive is long overdue.

Technology, not minerals, will define Africa's future

The Egyptian diplomat cautioned that Africa's wealth in natural resources alone will not secure prosperity in a global economy driven by technology. Instead, he said, the continent must actively invest in digital innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and localised tech hubs. He also noted that Africa's greatest asset is not gold or oil - but its people.

“Africa must create its own Silicon Valleys - whether in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, or elsewhere - not rely on Washington, Germany, China, or Russia,” he stressed.

Intra-African solidarity: From medicine to media

Drawing from past experience as Director of African Affairs at Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Haggag highlighted practical examples of African cooperation, such as Egypt sending doctors to Ghana and Mauritius.

He also called for deeper cultural exchanges to foster unity across borders, lamenting how little Africans know about each other’s music, films, and stories.

“Politics may divide people, but culture can bring them together. I should be reading Ghanaian newspapers and you should be watching Egyptian films,” he said.

A collective African voice on trade and diplomacy

Turning to international trade and current tensions over U.S. tariffs on African exports, Ambassador Haggag called for a unified African front. According to him, a single Ghanaian or Egyptian voice is not enough and that Africa must speak collectively as a continent.

He advised African nations to engage with U.S. institutions - especially Congress and the media - to shape opinion and policy. Importantly, he called for renewed collaboration with the African diaspora in America, who he believes can play a key advocacy role.

“When I served in the United States, I saw that public opinion matters. We must engage the New York Times, senators, and African-American communities,” he said.

Sacrifice some sovereignty for integration

Ambassador Haggag made a strong case for Pan-African integration, urging leaders to put aside narrow nationalistic competition. He warned that unless African leaders come together to form a common position on global issues, including trade, the continent will continue to be sidelined.

Writing Africa’s own story

The former diplomat’s message to young African journalists was clear: take ownership of the African story.

“Africans are talented, resourceful, and resilient… Our role now is to reduce the sense of helplessness. It’s not too difficult. It’s not impossible. We simply must make the appropriate decisions.”