The fact that you are on the Network for Africa mailing list means you are unusual. Opinion polls show that many people in the UK and USA are hostile to foreign aid. For decades, populist media have peddled myths and exaggerations about the misuse of taxpayers’ money. Unfortunately, genuine examples of waste and incompetence have also come to light, breeding suspicion. Now, in the USA, UK, Germany and elsewhere, politicians are making good on their promises to slash or eliminate international development projects.
One misconception is that all foreign aid goes to corrupt foreign dictators. This ignores the many non-government organizations (NGOs) and charities like Network for Africa that steer clear of politicians at either end, working beneath the radar with trustworthy local civil society. We find a small, credible group doing a good job tackling a problem, and we support them with skills, funding and advice where needed. Our local partners know how to work with limited resources, and we respect their dedication and experience.
Navigating the Impact of Shrinking Aid Budgets on Global Development
But now we are in new times. Network for Africa does not benefit from UK or US government funding, but we will be hit by the current bloodletting. Every international development charity on both sides of the Atlantic is in competition for your money. The UK aid budget is shrinking from GBP 13 billion in 2023 to GBP 6 billion in 2027, of which GBP 4 billion will be used to house asylum seekers in the UK.
Meanwhile, in the US, no NGO we have spoken to believes that USAID or State Department funding will return. Before President Trump took office in January 2025, less than 1% of the US federal budget was overseas aid, and much of it never left the USA. It bought American products as well as excess crops from farmers, shipping food to the developing world where American grain undercut local farmers. Still, American generosity was successful at battling hunger, disease, ignorance and intolerance around the globe. Hundreds of millions of people are thriving today because of US support.
We thank you for acknowledging the “soft power” impact of international development. As General Mattis, former US secretary of defense, told American taxpayers:
If you don’t fund the State Department fully then I need to buy more ammunition, ultimately.
The former chief of the UK general staff, General Lord Dannatt, put it this way:
Cutting aid undermines our ability to stabilize fragile states, reduce the conditions for extremism and build alliances that enhance our security.
Secure a Lasting Impact: Include Network for Africa in your Will
Your support for Network for Africa has made a direct contribution to creating a more peaceful and prosperous world. Now, since it is unlikely government aid budgets will be restored – in the US they may be completely discontinued – we urge you to please think beyond the current exhausting whirlwind of political uncertainty. Please plan to include Network for Africa in your will.
A surprising number of people haven’t made a will. This places a burden on surviving family members, and it could benefit the tax authorities if a person’s financial affairs are complicated. Please visit the Law Society website to see the straightforward way in which you can make a will.
Our work has continued for almost twenty years through the kindness of generous individuals and foundations – not government – and we intend to carry on. Our African partners say they find great value in our support – training, passing on skills, assisting with budgets, reporting, monitoring, evaluation, etc. When you are running a mental health project in a remote village in rural Africa, it helps to know you are not alone; Network for Africa is always there, at the end of a phone.
So long as our resourceful partners don’t give up, how dare we? For this reason, we urge you to please add Network for Africa to your will. Please visit our website to see how easily this can be done. Thank you.