There is an assumption that Africans cannot develop prosperous, or even sustainable, economies without external monetary support. After decades of U.S. foreign aid and aid from other countries, many people in developing countries in Africa have not seen the benefits of this economic aid. This fact has raised questions about the effectiveness of these efforts to improve Africa's economies. Many believe that not only has such aid failed to support these economies, it has actually stunted economic growth. As an example, this article will focus on the country of Zambia's experience with its foreign aid programs and cite findings reported in several academic journals and other scholarly publications. European colonial powers had a considerable influence on the development of the country. the African continent in recent centuries. Much of this influence has been negative. For example, the British came to Zambia and tried to change the lifestyles of the natives by denigrating their culture and religion. The British believed that Zambia needed to be “ethnically rejuvenated”. When the British arrived in Zambia, they also realized that they could exploit millions of people as well as the country's natural resources. In doing so, they often brutally killed individuals who resisted their forces. Additionally, they destroyed many native forests to create more European-style farmland for agriculture. Of course, the European model was not necessarily best for traditional Zambian crops or the local climate. Furthermore, the importance of European (and later American) exploitation of African peoples in the slave trade is enormous. This past exploitation could undoubtedly have influenced...... middle of paper ...... that which evolved over hundreds or even thousands of years. It may be difficult for American and European donor countries to understand that others may not be receptive to such fundamental changes in their national or regional identity. It is sometimes difficult for functioning democracies to understand that countries like many others in Africa, ruled by dictators or tribal leaders for centuries, may not be ready to embark on government-style governments. Western. After all, the evolution toward democratic representative forms of government has occurred in Europe and the United States over multigenerational periods. Such changes may not be “triggered” even by tons of foreign aid. The best that wealthy donors can hope for is to provide goods and services that bring technological advances to countries that can best be served..