For centuries, Africa has been forced to apologize—for its resources, for its borders, for its "backwardness," for its conflicts, even for its own existence. The world has conditioned Africa to beg for aid, to seek validation from foreign powers, and to measure success by Western standards. But this era must end.

Africa does not owe the world an apology.

Instead, the world owes Africa—for slavery, for colonialism, for exploitation, for stolen futures. But reparations will not come from guilt; they will come from Africa's refusal to stay on its knees.