The H-1B visa crisis is not just a policy change, it’s a wake-up call that the dream of “Japa” of fleeing Africa for greener pastures is fading. This once-reliable escape hatch to the West is closing, forcing us to face a stark truth our future isn’t out there, it’s right here. For too long, our best and brightest have packed their bags and left, taking their talents and dreams with them. This brain drain has left gaping holes in our communities, our hospitals, and our boardrooms. It’s a painful reality, but also a profound opportunity.

It’s time to stop looking outwards and start looking inwards. The solution to our challenges lies in building a continent where we all can thrive. This isn’t about some utopian fantasy it’s about rolling up our sleeves and doing the hard work. We need to turn our cities into hubs of innovation, not just places we leave behind. Imagine a future where the tech hubs of Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town are not just isolated success stories, but the norm across the continent. This means investing in reliable power, efficient transportation, and a culture that celebrates entrepreneurship and creativity. We have the ingenuity; we just need the infrastructure to support it.

This transformation also requires our leaders to be bold. They need to fight the corruption that has robbed us of our potential and implement policies that protect our communities. A crucial part of this is addressing the gentrification caused by foreigners and even the diaspora who, with their foreign currency, are pricing out locals. In cities like Nairobi and Cape Town, this trend is pushing people out of their own neighborhoods. It’s a sad irony that as we seek to rebuild our continent, some of us are contributing to the very problems we’re trying to escape.

To combat this, our leaders should consider a foreigner tax on property and land ownership. This isn’t about being unwelcoming, but about fairness. The revenue from such a tax could be used to build affordable housing and improve public services for everyone. It’s a way to ensure our cities remain for us, built by us. The H-1B crisis is a tough lesson, but it’s a lesson we needed to learn. It’s time to rebuild, to innovate, and to create a continent where we don’t have to flee to find a better life because we’ve built it right here at home.