Economist, Author, and Champion of African Liberty
1945 - 2022
A distinguished economist and passionate advocate for freedom, democracy, and African-led solutions to the continent's challenges.
George Ayittey was a Ghanaian economist, author, and president of the Free Africa Foundation in Washington, D.C. He served as Distinguished Economist in Residence at American University and as an associate scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Throughout his career, Ayittey was a principled advocate for political and economic freedom in Africa.
Born in Ghana, he earned a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Ghana, Legon, followed by an M.A. from the University of Western Ontario and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Manitoba. His academic and policy work spanned decades, earning him recognition as a leading voice for governance and market-oriented reforms in Africa.
Ayittey believed that sustainable development must be grounded in local traditions, voluntary institutions, and accountable government. He was critical of both centralized socialist policies and foreign aid strategies that, in his view, weakened local initiative. Instead, he highlighted the role of indigenous African systems of governance and trade, emphasizing that homegrown solutions—rooted in African history and culture—offered the best foundation for liberty and prosperity.
His work consistently emphasized that advancing human freedom, economic opportunity, and institutional accountability was essential to Africa's future.
Ayittey coined the term "Cheetah Generation" to describe a new breed of Africans who bypass government and seek African-based solutions.
"The Cheetah Generation is a new breed of Africans who are taking their futures into their own hands. They're not waiting for government to do things for them."
In contrast to the "Hippo Generation" - those stuck in the past - the Cheetahs represent entrepreneurial, tech-savvy young Africans who are creating solutions, building businesses, and driving change from the grassroots level.
George Ayittey's influential TED Talk on Africa's Cheetahs vs. Hippos
"Africa is poor because she is not free."
"The solutions to Africa's problems lie in Africa itself - not in the corridors of the World Bank or the IMF."
"You cannot develop people; you must allow people to develop themselves."
"Africa's begging bowl leaks."
George Ayittey's intellectual courage and unwavering commitment to African liberty continue to inspire a new generation of African thinkers, entrepreneurs, and reformers.
His work laid the foundation for a movement that rejects both the failed socialist experiments of the past and the corruption of the present, instead championing indigenous solutions, economic freedom, and accountable governance.
The George Ayittey Society carries forward his vision, creating a platform for African intellectuals to collaborate, debate, and develop practical solutions for a free and prosperous Africa.
Join us in advancing George Ayittey's vision for a free and prosperous Africa.