African experts warn reduced U.S. funding to hurt development programs

The United States' new policy to slash overseas aid will hurt implementation of programs that promote poverty alleviation, economic growth, peace and ecological protection in Sub-Saharan Africa, experts have said.

On the sidelines of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Director of Global Maize Program Boddupalli Prassana told Xinhua on Friday that African governments have no option but to readjust their priorities in the wake of Washington's reducing funding for the continent's affairs.

"The African continent requires donor support but it is important that the countries become self sufficient in order to realize their development goals," Prassana remarked adding that African governments should prioritize funding agricultural research to boost food security.

President Donald Trump recently announced significant reduction of funds allocated to the United States International Development Agency (USAID).

The new policy once implemented is expected to negatively affect developing countries adversely since the agency has been supporting local development projects in 30 African countries.

However, the new directive spares HIV and Aids funding but will disproportionately affect agricultural research and climate change response in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"It is now inevitable for African governments to explore alternative sources of funding towards agricultural research and other development programs since over-reliance on external donors is no longer sustainable," said Prassana.

He noted that Washington's decision to slash development aid to poor countries is a wakeup call for African governments to promote fiscal discipline that is key to alleviate poverty and income inequality.

Kenya in particular has relied heavily on American aid to transform its agriculture sector amid challenges like climate change, population pressure and declining arable land.

The country's researchers warned that a cut back on external aid towards the agriculture sector will jeopardize food security and sustainable development.

At the same time, African health experts pointed at a gloomy future if Washington implements the policy directive to cut funding towards programs that addresses reproductive health.

Estelle Sidze, an Associate Research Scientist at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) said that the new policy once effected will deny women access to family planning services.

She noted USAID has been supporting family planning programs in the African region for decades.

"African governments are unable to fund most of their development projects hence the need for external support from friendly bilateral partners," said Estelle

She regretted that many organizations dealing with family planning will fold and send home thousands of employees.

Fatuma Mohamed, a beneficiary of USAID funding through African Development Solutions (ADESO) resilience and economic growth in arid lands project, that ended late last year, said the proposed cutback is likely to affect residents of northern Kenya reeling from negative impacts of recurrent drought.

She noted that since ADESO ended financial support to local communities, several climate resilience projects have stalled.

"The official termination of USAID funding to our projects is yet to be communicated to us but it is tragic reality we are prepared to deal with in the near future," said Candace Buzzard, ADESO's Director for Kenya and East Africa.

Buzzard clarified that USAID's funding towards key projects is ongoing and could end next year. In Kenya, USAID has actively supported a range of projects in agriculture, health, water and sanitation. Endit