The announcement by the United States that it is shifting its engagement with Africa, from aid to trade, is a welcome and overdue change. For too long, the continent has been cast in the role of a passive recipient of charity, often with strings attached, rather than a partner in mutual prosperity. Now, Zambia and Africa at large are being invited to the table not as beggars, but as business partners. This is a path toward dignity, self-reliance, and sustainable development. But it is also a path that must be navigated with sharp eyes, firm principles, and unflinching patriotism. Let us be clear: a trade-based relationship is not just more beneficial economically, it is more respectful. It acknowledges that African...