Africa: The Right to Development - Why Equity, Not Charity, Is a Human Right

In the world, the disparity between two children born in the same year is stark. One will inhabit a country with thriving schools, social support, fair elections, and a thriving economy. The second child will likely be born into a nation plagued by poverty, conflict, climate change, or corruption. Despite no one choosing their circumstances, the UN asserts this gulf between the two children is not just unfair, but a violation of the right to development.

This right, recognized by the UN since 1986, is not merely about economic growth, but a fundamental human entitlement encompassing economic, social, cultural, and political rights aimed at reducing inequality and creating a more equitable world.

Globally, the World Inequality Report 2026, backed by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), reveals a troubling trend: half of the world's poorest people own just 2% of global wealth, while the wealthiest 0.001%, or around 56,000 individuals, control three times more wealth than all of the poor people combined. This widening gap in both wealth distribution and economic opportunities within and among nations is precisely what the UN's Human Rights Office (OHCHR) says the right to development aims to rectify.

The Declaration on the Right to Development, first agreed upon by UN Member States in 1986, declares this an "inalienable human right" for everyone to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural, and political development. Crucially, it emphasizes people's sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources. However, the UN emphasizes that this right is not about charity, but about enabling and empowering individuals.

Over the last 80 years, growth has not been evenly distributed, and this unchecked inequality exacerbates poverty, unrest, migration, and distrust in institutions. When applied correctly, the principles of the right to development can indeed benefit communities worldwide. For instance, Morocco's vocational training programs are empowering women to start income-generating activities.

Indigenous groups in Colombia have had a say in the country's peace accords. In Afghanistan, India, and Palestine, communities have been taught to share resources fairly rather than compete for them.

However, the right to development faces significant hurdles. Disagreements among nations on binding obligations, weak international cooperation, and a lack of political will all impede progress. A case in point is Kenya, where the Endorois community, despite centuries of inhabiting the land around Lake Bogoria, were excluded from decisions to turn their land into a game reserve.

This disregard for their livelihoods, leading to the loss of grazing pastures and significant cattle deaths, tragically resulted in hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. The barriers to the right to development include disputes over binding obligations, weak international cooperation, and a lack of political will.