Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has described Africa as a continent of immense potential, rich in natural resources and blessed with a strong, capable population, yet still facing persistent obstacles that hinder its development. He made the remarks during an international conference of dialogue and prayers for peace held in Rome, Italy, on October 28, 2025.
“This is a continent that is very rich in human labor and natural resources, yet remains extremely poor. It is like a sleeping lion that has not yet awakened,” Cardinal Kambanda said, highlighting what he called the paradox of Africa’s situation.
He identified several major challenges limiting the continent’s growth, including poor governance, embezzlement of public resources, and unfair agreements with international corporations that fail to benefit African nations. “The exploitation of Africa’s natural resources for foreign interests is driven by unstable governance and unfair contracts, which lead to debt, lack of control over resource management, and minimal benefits reaching ordinary citizens,” he explained.
Cardinal Kambanda also emphasized that Africa’s strength lies not only in its youthful population but also in its vast, largely untapped natural wealth, which, he noted, often comes with its own set of challenges.
He concluded by pointing out that although Africa holds 30% of the world’s natural resources, many of its people continue to live in poverty, rarely enjoying the benefits of the continent’s immense wealth.
