The open exchange following the keynote presentations by Anthony Chapoto and Kah Walla at the SNRD Africa conference invited a deep reflection on functionality, accountability, and decolonization in development cooperation.

Participants from various countries challenged both speakers with thoughtful questions:

🧩 How can development cooperation ensure it is not part of the problem by perpetuating dependency or dysfunction? How can traditional, well-functioning systems that existed before colonial frameworks be reactivated and strengthened? And what is the role of youth in transforming systems still dominated by older generations?

In response, Kah Walla and Anthony Chapoto emphasized the need for self-reflection and genuine coordination among development partners. They urged donors and implementing agencies to move beyond competing “industry” approaches and to focus on scaling what already works. Both highlighted that functionality must be seen as a central pillar of every intervention—whether in agriculture, governance, or social systems.

The speakers also reminded the audience that functionality applies across all actors. Governments, civil society, and the private sector. Strengthening institutions, they argued, is not only a technical but a political task. Sustainable resilience depends on systems that work—and on partners willing to make space for genuine local agency.

🎥 Watch the full Q&A session: