Top-Down Power vs. Bottom-Up Ambition: Who Wins?

An UNsustainable centralized, top-down approach, rooted in the hierarchical structures of the mid-20th century, is increasingly out of step with today's world.

Sep 03, 2024

World leaders will soon convene at the United Nations for the Summit of the Future in New York on September 22-231. Their discussions will focus on strengthening international cooperation through “Multilateral Solutions for A Better Tomorrow.” This sets the ambition to address global challenges and rectify imbalances in global governance that disproportionately affect less wealthy nations, including those in Africa.

The United Nations was established in 1945 following World War II, with the primary aim of preventing future conflicts and fostering international cooperation. Conceived as a centralized international body, the UN was designed to reflect the hierarchical and structured ways in which organizations were organized at that time. This top-down approach allowed for coordinated global governance, with member states working together within a framework of agreed-upon norms and principles. Today, while the UN remains a key platform for global diplomacy and collective action, it faces growing criticism for its outdated structures that struggle to meet the complex and rapidly evolving needs of the modern world.

The SDGs: A Blueprint in Jeopardy?

The UN describes the upcoming summit as a crucial opportunity to mend eroded trust and overhaul these outdated structures, highlighting the urgent need for effective global collaboration amid today’s political and economic complexities. This meeting is a platform for adopting the Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, aiming to solidify collective efforts for a sustainable future.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, were designed as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. However, with the deadline fast approaching, the ambitious targets set by the SDGs are increasingly out of reach. Progress has been uneven, particularly in the Global South, where economic inequality, political instability, and the impacts of climate change are stalling advancement. The COVID-19 pandemic further compounded these issues, reversing years of progress in areas such as poverty reduction, education, and gender equality.

The upcoming Summit of the Future is a critical moment for world leaders to reassess and reinvigorate their commitments to the SDGs. Yet, as they focus on correcting the current multilateral framework, it raises questions:

Is this centralized approach sufficient in a world increasingly driven by decentralized, grassroots solutions? Who wins?
Leaders that are determined to make a positive impact in the next five, ten, or more years of their careers - where should they direct their attention to glean strategic insights and set priorities towards ambitious goals?

Africa’s Rising: Beyond Aid, Toward Innovation

Africa’s role in global multilateralism is highlighted by leaders such as Adekeye Adebajo and provides clues. In his recent Project Syndicate article “Africa’s Future Hinges on Revitalizing Multilateralism2,” Adebajo critiques the existing system that often sidelines Africa, despite its urgent needs and significant potential contributions. The dominance of Western powers in institutions like the World Bank and IMF continues to impose economic policies that do not favor African nations, exacerbating challenges rather than alleviating them.

The UN’s centralized, top-down approach, rooted in the hierarchical structures of the mid-20th century, is increasingly out of step with the dynamic and diverse needs of regions like Africa. Here, the digital age is breaking down barriers and enabling a bottom-up approach to development, where local realities and innovative solutions can flourish outside traditional multilateral structures.

Local Innovation, Global Impact

Innovative African enterprises are already making significant strides towards the SDGs, showcasing the potential of local solutions to address global challenges:

Flutterwave (Nigeria): Founded in 2016 by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Olugbenga Agboola, and a team of engineers and bankers, Flutterwave is a pioneering tech company that simplifies cross-border transactions by providing a seamless payment solution across Africa and globally. It addresses financial fragmentation, enabling businesses and individuals to execute swift and secure payments in various currencies. This financial integration boosts economic stability and also helps mitigate inequalities by making financial services accessible to underserved populations. It aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Andela (Nigeria): Launched in 2014 by Jeremy Johnson, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Christina Sass, and Ian Carnevale, Andela fills the technological skills gap by identifying, training, and deploying software developers across Africa. By connecting these skilled professionals with global tech companies, Andela enhances career opportunities and contributes to global knowledge exchange. This initiative promotes Quality Education (SDG 4) and supports Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) by creating high-value jobs and fostering an inclusive digital economy.

Twiga Foods (Kenya): Established in 2014 by Grant Brooke and Peter Njonjo, Twiga Foods operates a digital platform that efficiently links farmers directly to retail vendors, improving the supply chain for fresh produce. By optimizing this link, Twiga ensures fair pricing for farmers and reduces food spoilage and waste and promotes more sustainable food systems. This directly impacts food security (SDG 2) and supports sustainable consumption practices (SDG 12).

YAPILI (Kenya): Founded in 2016 by Lodewijk Boven and Herman Louis, YAPILI offers an innovative approach to healthcare by providing a digital platform where users can access advice and consultations from healthcare professionals. This service is crucial in remote areas where medical facilities may be scarce and improves overall health outcomes by making healthcare more equitable. YAPILI’s platform addresses Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) by expanding access to essential healthcare services.

M-KOPA (Kenya): Launched in 2011 by Jesse Moore, Nick Hughes, and Chad Larson, M-KOPA provides ‘pay-as-you-go’ solar power systems, making renewable energy accessible to households without reliable electricity. This affordable clean energy solution empowers communities economically and supports environmental sustainability. M-KOPA’s services foster Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) and indirectly contribute to Climate Action (SDG 13) by reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

SafeBoda (Uganda): Established in 2014 by Alastair Sussock and Ricky Rapa Thomson, SafeBoda enhances road safety through a ride-hailing service specifically designed for motorcycle taxis, which are common but often risky in East Africa. By training drivers and implementing safety measures, SafeBoda significantly reduces the risk of accidents and fatalities, contributing directly to the UN’s goal of halving global traffic deaths (SDG 3.6).

Hello Tractor (Nigeria and Kenya): Founded in 2014 by Jehiel Oliver, Hello Tractor, known as the “Uber for farmers,” uses mobile technology to connect tractor owners with farmers needing affordable tractor services. This innovative approach increases agricultural productivity by making mechanization accessible and affordable, boosting food production and supporting economic growth within rural communities. Hello Tractor thus supports Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and promotes sustainable Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9).

These African solutions confirm the potential of bottom-up approaches in the digital age. They highlight the need for global governance structures to evolve, embracing more decentralized models that empower local innovation and impact. By doing so, the international community can better align with the realities of today’s interconnected world, ensuring that sustainable development is truly inclusive and effective.

A Tipping Point: Seeing the World’s Untapped Potential

The transformation across Africa’s landscape for grassroots solutions marks a significant shift as long standing barriers - such as limited access to technology, inadequate investment, and reliance on aid - are being dismantled. The proliferation of mobile technology and the internet has democratized access to information and services which reduce dependency on traditional and often exclusive systems. Entrepreneurial ecosystems across the continent, and in other low- and middle-income regions worldwide, are achieving breakthroughs by fostering innovation and collaboration and moving away from aid dependency towards sustainable, self-sustaining economic models. Furthermore, the rise of trust-based community engagement and collaborative platforms is transforming service delivery, particularly in remote areas, setting new standards for development that leverages local capacities and global networks.

As leaders, how we view the world determines what we achieve in it.

As the UN Summit progresses, I reflect on a potential tipping point: regions like Africa transitioning from being seen as aid recipients to being recognized as sources of untapped resources and innovative solutions. The world’s youth, in places like Africa, India, and Indonesia, and their entrepreneurs3 are not only challenging outdated perceptions but also driving transformative initiatives that redefine economic development on their own terms.

There’s more to the world than what we see.

In September, while the UN Summit will likely focus on what’s broken, what requires budget, and what can be done to bolster the existing multilateral system, I wonder if many ambitious leaders seeking win-win outcomes will disengage. Their attention could be more productively directed towards recognizing and leveraging what is working beyond the conference halls that convene world leaders.