Nigeria, Sept. 29 -- African leaders and development experts have faulted decades of foreign aid-driven development on the continent, insisting that Africa must chart its own path by investing in homegrown innovation and solutions.

The call was made at a panel session titled "African-led Innovation: Shaping Sustainable Futures with or without Aid" held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

African countries have long depended on foreign assistance to support its health sector, infrastructure, and social programmes.

In January, the US government announced sweeping cuts to foreign aid, suspending significant portions of funding through USAID and rescinding $7.9 billion commitments under the Resc...