I write this as an African, as a Ugandan, and as someone who has seen both the promise and the failures of international aid. I have benefited from aid in the past. I know what it means to receive free healthcare because of a foreign-funded programme. I have witnessed communities transformed when funding reaches the right places. But I have also seen the other side—the disillusionment, the empty promises, and the deep frustration when aid does not translate into lasting change.
USAID’s sudden freeze on humanitarian and development aid has sent shockwaves through aid-dependent countries. Governments, NGOs, and agencies are scrambling for answers. But here in Uganda, where aid has long been part of our survival, the feeling is mixed. There is a mixture of panic, outrage and resignation and quiet, bitter understanding. The truth is, for some communities, aid has been unreliable—here today, gone tomorrow. People have grown tired of waiting for help that rarely comes in ways that truly matter. Roads remain unpaved. Schools remain overcrowded and underfunded. Hospitals lack the most basic supplies. Whether the money flows or not, the reality for many remains the same.
For decades, the Global South has been portrayed as a helpless recipient of foreign generosity. But the reality is more complex. The people at the receiving end of these funds have seen too much wasted on bureaucracy, administration, and endless strategy meetings. Too many times, they have watched as consultants—who have never lived a day in these struggling communities—collect big paychecks while the actual beneficiaries remain trapped in cycles of poverty and dependency. Uganda alone has received billions in aid over the years. Yet, the struggle remains the same. Now, with USAID pulling back, the cracks in this broken system are glaring.
The consequences are real. Take an example of a clinic in Kampala that provides essential HIV services to thousands of vulnerable people. With the funding freeze, its operations are on the brink of collapse. Healthcare workers have been sent home, leaving only a handful to manage an overwhelming caseload. Viral load and CD4 testing, once free, are now out of reach for many who need them most. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) programmes, designed to prevent HIV infections, have been halted, putting thousands at risk. Stigma and discrimination have already made it difficult for key populations to access mainstream HIV treatment. Now, even the safe spaces that once existed for them are disappearing. This is not just an operational setback. It is a crisis.
This moment should be a wake-up call, not just for those losing funding, but for all of us in the Global South. The USAID freeze is a painful but clear signal: we cannot afford to depend on a single donor, a single government, or a single organisation to fund our survival. It is time to rethink development. It is time to build something different. We need new partnerships, not based on pity or dependency, but on shared goals and sustainable investments. We need the private sector to step in, not with one-off donations but with commitments to build real economic opportunities. We need regional philanthropists to see that the future of Africa must be shaped by Africans. We need funding mechanisms that prioritise direct service delivery over bureaucratic roadblocks.
This is not just about keeping the lights on. This is about breaking free from a system that has failed too many, for too long. We in the Global South cannot afford to wait for aid to resume. We must take charge of our own development. We must shape our own future.
This is why we at New Global Markets (NGM) are hosting a critical conversation: “The New Funding World Order: Transformational Partnerships for Global South Development.” This event will bring together thought leaders, funders, and development practitioners to discuss how we move beyond the old model of foreign aid dependency and towards real, sustainable solutions.
Date: Tuesday, 25th February 2025
Time: 2:00 PM UK Time
Speakers include:
- Dr. Laxmikant Palo (People to People Health Foundation)
- Chilande Kuloba-Warria (Warande Advisory Centre)
- Aliganyira Brian (ARK Wellness Hub)
- Dr. Rajiv Tandon (Global Public Health Leader and Advocate)
This is not just another webinar. It is a call to action. The future of development must be led by those who are closest to the problems, the solutions, and the impact.
New Global Markets (NGM) Consulting is not just another consultancy. We are a bridge between global ambition and Global South opportunity. We specialise in strategic giving, fundraising, and income diversification, helping organisations not just survive, but thrive. The future of development must change, and we are leading that transformation.
Join us in reshaping the funding world order. It’s time.
