Author: Olukorede Yishau

On the last day of January 2013, the United Nations Plaza 1 became a meeting point where Africa and its diaspora converged to discuss a quietly powerful idea: that true development begins at the grassroots.

The African Mayors Business Forum, organised by the Africa to America Group, was more than another conference in New York’s crowded event calendar. It was a gathering of minds determined to shift the spotlight from the often-ignored local governments of Africa, elevating their role from mere administrators to architects of economic transformation.

At the helm of this initiative was Dozie David, a diasporan visionary driven by a simple but urgent conviction that Africa’s future cannot be built from the top down. It must rise from the ground up, brick by brick, through the empowerment of its smallest government units.

“This Forum,” David remarked in his welcome address, “is about giving voice and visibility to Africa’s local governments. They are closest to the people, and they hold the keys to our sustainable development.”

One of the Forum’s most anticipated speakers was Mr. Olatunji Oke, Editor-in-Chief of the Lagos Indicator, a leading publication that tracks governance and development in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos State. With the gravitas of someone who has chronicled the highs and lows of public service, Oke took the stage to deliver his keynote address titled: “The Local Government Revolution: How to Maximise Development from the Bottom to the Top.”

Oke’s words flowed with clarity and conviction. He spoke of a revolution — not in the streets, but in the council chambers and community halls of Africa’s towns and villages. A revolution that begins with rethinking how local governments are structured, funded, and empowered.

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“For too long, local governments in Africa have been treated as afterthoughts — mere extensions of state and national bureaucracies,” Oke said. “But these are the institutions closest to the people. They understand the pulse of the community, the texture of everyday life. If we are serious about development, this is where we must begin.”

He outlined a five-point agenda: financial independence for local councils, robust capacity building for officials, strategic public-private partnerships, data-driven governance, and meaningful diaspora engagement.

“It’s time we stop asking what local governments can do for us and start asking what we can do to make them work,” Oke concluded, earning a standing ovation from the diverse audience.

Bringing an American perspective to the conversation was Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr., leader of Hempstead, New York. Hall, a respected figure in municipal governance, spoke of the universal challenges local leaders face — from limited budgets to increasing demands for accountability.

Yet, despite these challenges, Hall emphasized that the success of local governance hinges on leadership, transparency, and community engagement. “When people see their ideas reflected in policies, when they feel heard and valued, governance transforms from a distant authority to a shared responsibility,” he said.

Hall’s remarks provided a bridge between the African experience and the American local governance model, showing that while contexts differ, the principles of effective local leadership remain universal.

The conversation then shifted from governance to business, as Dr. Cheryl Hill, CEO of Integrity International Consulting Group, took the floor. With a rich background in advising businesses on African markets, Dr. Hill painted a compelling picture of Africa as the new frontier for investment.

“Forget the old narratives of aid and charity. Africa is brimming with opportunities — in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, ICT, and healthcare,” she said. But she also cautioned against short-termism. “Success in Africa requires patience, partnership, and a deep respect for local cultures and contexts.”

Dr. Hill’s presentation resonated with many in the audience, particularly members of the diaspora seeking to invest in their home countries. She highlighted the symbiotic relationship between good local governance and successful business ventures. “When local governments function effectively, businesses thrive, jobs are created, and communities prosper.”

From broad continental themes, the Forum zoomed in on a specific success story, Bayelsa State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Representing the state was Michael Ogbolosingha, a local government chairman who shared his firsthand experiences of making governance work for the people at the grassroots.

Ogbolosingha spoke candidly about the challenges of managing expectations in resource-rich but infrastructure-poor communities. Yet, through innovative community-driven projects in education, healthcare, and local enterprise development, his council had begun to shift the narrative.

“Development isn’t abstract,” he said. “It’s the classroom where a child learns, the market where women trade, the clinic that saves lives. These are local issues that require local solutions.”

The Bayelsa presentation was not just informative but inspiring, showcasing how empowered local leadership can catalyze meaningful change.

As discussions continued, one theme emerged repeatedly: collaboration is non-negotiable. Whether through public-private partnerships, diaspora engagement, or international cooperation, local governments need allies to succeed.

The Africa to America Group’s efforts to create these bridges were widely applauded. Dozie David stressed that this Forum was not a one-time event but the beginning of a sustained movement to reposition Africa’s local governments as pivotal players in development.

“We are planting seeds today that will bear fruit in communities across Africa. This is about legacy, about ensuring that development is not a privilege for a few but a right for all,” David said in his closing remarks.

As the Forum drew to a close, the energy in the room remained palpable. The speeches, panels, and networking sessions had done more than just fill an agenda; they had ignited a renewed commitment to grassroots-led development.

For Oke, the message was clear. “Africa’s greatness will not be decreed from lofty offices. It will be built in local councils, in villages, in towns, through the hard work of leaders who understand that real power comes from serving the people.”

In the heart of New York City, far from the villages and towns of Africa, a powerful conversation had taken place. One that reminded everyone present that the journey to Africa’s future begins at the local level and that journey is well underway.