The implications of dependent agency are multifaceted. First, it may influence donors’ ability to achieve their objectives, while also reinforcing the status quo and undermining local solidarity. Second, it may shape democratization by challenging liberal citizenship and undermining transparency and accountability in decision-making. Despite these limitations, dependent agency also illustrates local people’s desire for participation and their nascent demands for the powerful to be held accountable. The work concludes by exploring how the concept of dependent agency may shape scholarship on African politics, international relations, and global health.