Addis Ababa, December 8, 2025 (FMC) — Moussa Ibrahim Gaddafi, nephew of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has called on African nations to prioritize sovereign development, continental collaboration, and youth engagement as essential pillars for the continent’s future prosperity.
Speaking exclusively to Fana Media Corporation during his visit to Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam over the weekend, Moussa praised Ethiopia’s achievements as a model of self-reliant development, noting that the dam and related projects were realized without borrowing from international financial institutions.
“This is an impressive African development project achieved with the sweat and blood of the Ethiopian people, who came together and sacrificed time and money. It is a sovereign project — built without falling into the trap of debt or relying on the IMF or World Bank,” he said.
Moussa emphasized that continental cooperation is critical, urging African leaders to plan projects collectively rather than in isolation.
“Heads of states must think not just for their own nations, but for the entire continent. Projects that connect multiple African countries economically and infrastructurally will promote security, fight poverty, and reduce conflicts,” he said.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s historical role in supporting liberation movements across Africa, Moussa underscored the Pan-African vision embedded in its development initiatives.
“Ethiopia has always had a Pan-African heart. Its leadership shows the way forward for the continent by prioritizing unity and shared progress,” he added.
Moussa also pointed to the importance of sectoral development, stressing that agriculture, industry, and infrastructure must be integrated with technology and skilled labor to ensure sustainable growth.
“Any African country that invests in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure, with a focus on local talent and technology, contributes not just to itself but to the whole continent,” he said.
He stressed the role of youth and legacy preservation, noting that development projects should inspire and engage the younger generation while maintaining the Pan-African vision.
“We must ensure that the legacy of our liberation movements is alive in our youth. Projects like these should motivate young Africans to take responsibility for the continent’s future,” Moussa said.
During his visit, Moussa toured the Grand Renaissance Dam and engaged with engineers and project managers, observing firsthand how Ethiopia has leveraged local resources, citizen participation, and visionary planning to deliver one of Africa’s largest sovereign development projects.
“Africa’s future lies in our ability to collaborate, develop independently, and empower our youth. Ethiopia demonstrates that it is possible to achieve ambitious projects with local expertise and unity,” he concluded.