This piece reflects on the concept of Sankofa, an Akan term meaning “go back and get it,” highlighting the importance of learning from Africa’s past to shape its future. It explores pre-colonial Africa’s advanced trade systems and the disruptions caused by European colonization and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The article suggests that reconnecting with ancestral knowledge can inspire innovative, self-determined solutions for Africa’s present development challenges, fostering progress rooted in historical wisdom while acknowledging the need for forward-thinking strategies.