Africa's economic opportunity; a sleeping giant at a crossroads.

[CTO114]

Africa is a very interesting continent, possessing many of the ingredients needed to becoming one of the world's leading  economic powers. With the world's youngest population, abundant critical minerals, about 60% of the world's uncultivated stable land, rapid urbanization and a fast growing digital economy. A well positioned economy to drive global growth.

Obviously Africa's greatest challenge is not a lack of resources, it's the inability to capture enough value from them. Many countries export raw commodities such as crude oil, cocoa, lithium, and copper, while importing the higher value products made from those same resources. The value trap consequently limits industrialization, job creation and long-term economic growth.

The problem is compounded by weak institutions, inconsistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, limited access to finance, skill gaps, political instability on some regions and high debt burden.These structural barriers make it harder for businesses to grow and ultimately discourage investment.

As global supply chains diversify and demand for critical minerals, technology and new markets rises, Africa has a rare opportunity to redefine its role in the global economy. If the continent strengthens governance, invests in infrastructure and human capital, also shifting from exporting raw materials to producing high value goods and services, it could emerge as one of the world's most important economic engines.

Africa's future will be shaped not by the resources it owns, but by the value it creates from them.

[Mate2237]

The  value gap you are talking about can only be filled only, when corruption and greed from that of their leaders is solved. The biggest threat to the development of Africa is within before we can even talk about the external factors. I can't say that Africa is actually sleeping in terms of creating the opportunities that will help her citizens fulfill their dreams.


The Leadership of Africa has made sure that the natural resources that are given by nature, never create value for her citizens. What is happening is loss of value through the transfer of Natural resources in the name of export. Until the African continent wakes up which will only only be effected, by a change of leadership no actual value can be maximized .

[Churchillvv]

When you mention Africa I believe west Africa is the core of this rather than Africa generally, their are countries thriving like Egypt etc even though they are Africa but not suffering the same fate with the west of Africa but however, there is something crucial that seem to be neglected which is neo-colonialism or imperialism which suppress the power to create, control whatever is left behind the west Africa. Go make research and know more about this.

[STT]

Its kinda ridiculous to refer to an entire continent and describe in one singular way.  We might as well refer to the intuits right down all the way to the Argentineans and everyone between as if they were one people, all making a common mistake or theme in what they do as they live in america the continent so it must be true right  

[Oluwa-btc]

When you mention Africa I believe west Africa is the core of this rather than Africa generally, their are countries thriving like Egypt etc even though they are Africa but not suffering the same fate with the west of Africa but however, there is something crucial that seem to be neglected which is neo-colonialism or imperialism which suppress the power to create, control whatever is left behind the west Africa. Go make research and know more about this.

May the Universe be kind to you.

Neo-colonialism is a big topic to talk about and for those of us with less knowledge, we can look up Kwame Nkrumah and what he meant.  This is the finals stage of colonialism dragging us backwards and ensuring we do not have our continent going. Finally, the plans of Gaddafi must not be overlooked. We have to start trading between ourselves and also removing every borderline between ourselves. Until that is achieved, alongside hanging all corrupt political representatives to death, we won't progress forward.

[logfiles]

Maybe Africa should borrow a leaf or two from powers like China
1. Try as much as possible to do away with the Western policies (monetary, political etc.). Those policies are designed to milk the other trading partners. Those grants, loans, donations you see are a big thorn to the development of any country.
2. Good hard on industrialization and stop exporting the precious minerals at a giveaway price.
3. Embrace the culture and long-lost traditions that got messed up by the colonization

Honestly I think Africa and most parts of the world are still under colonialism from the west, but they just won't admit it.

[qwertyup23]

The  value gap you are talking about can only be filled only, when corruption and greed from that of their leaders is solved. The biggest threat to the development of Africa is within before we can even talk about the external factors. I can't say that Africa is actually sleeping in terms of creating the opportunities that will help her citizens fulfill their dreams.

I absolutely agree with you. What's holding back Africa from being one of the strongest economic forces are the people itself- greed and corruption are continuously being practiced on their country. Even if that country holds precious materials and minerals that can support their population, still, it is not being utilized to its fullest potential.

I would also argue that Philippines is also one of those countries that can have an explosion economically if not for their corrupt leaders that prioritize self-gain other than the benefit of the whole country.

The Leadership of Africa has made sure that the natural resources that are given by nature, never create value for her citizens. What is happening is loss of value through the transfer of Natural resources in the name of export. Until the African continent wakes up which will only only be effected, by a change of leadership no actual value can be maximized .

I just hope that there will be a total overhaul of its leaders in the near future. Once they solve the problem within their country, then growth and its potential would slowly flourish- thereby making them one of the countries to look at in the future.

[Rockstarguy]

Maybe Africa should borrow a leaf or two from powers like China
1. Try as much as possible to do away with the Western policies (monetary, political etc.). Those policies are designed to milk the other trading partners. Those grants, loans, donations you see are a big thorn to the development of any country.
2. Good hard on industrialization and stop exporting the precious minerals at a giveaway price.
3. Embrace the culture and long-lost traditions that got messed up by the colonization

Honestly I think Africa and most parts of the world are still under colonialism from the west, but they just won't admit it.

I so much agree with what you have pointed out; this is what Africa needs to build a better economy, and I'm sure Africa's leaders are aware of this, but it is too difficult because the major problem in most African countries is a problem of leadership.

The day Africa solves its leadership problem is when things will be done well. Most African leaders don't mean well for the development of Africa, but what they are most interested in are the resources. Africa claims to be practicing democracy, and if you look into it, it is not even transparent to select a reliable leader who is willing to do the job sincerely. Leadership is the biggest challenge to the development of Africa.

[Mhizlove]

Honestly I will agree that Africa has aot of potentials, but you see natural resources alone can not guarantee prosperity. A well developed country in Africa do not just sell raw materials, they also build industries that processed those resources, create more skilled jobs and added more values before exporting them. One more thing is that regional cooperation will always matter. If African countries can improve trade among themselves, create a better environment for businesses to grow and also support local manufacturing, then the continent will or can reduce dependence on exporting raw materials alone and build a stronger economy as time goes on

[Churchillvv]

Honestly I think Africa and most parts of the world are still under colonialism from the west, but they just won't admit it.

Exactly, I called it neo colonialism or imperialism. They pretend to have given full control of the countries back to its people but gave it to appointed representatives who will be able to carry out their interest without questioning because one they are either ignorant or greedy enough to think self when the African orientation is communal. Cutting off the western policies will be very difficult because people will suffer but is better fate to be faced than what we and others are facing today through imperialism and neocolonialism.

When you mention Africa I believe west Africa is the core of this rather than Africa generally, their are countries thriving like Egypt etc even though they are Africa but not suffering the same fate with the west of Africa but however, there is something crucial that seem to be neglected which is neo-colonialism or imperialism which suppress the power to create, control whatever is left behind the west Africa. Go make research and know more about this.

May the Universe be kind to you.

Neo-colonialism is a big topic to talk about and for those of us with less knowledge, we can look up Kwame Nkrumah and what he meant.  This is the finals stage of colonialism dragging us backwards and ensuring we do not have our continent going. Finally, the plans of Gaddafi must not be overlooked. We have to start trading between ourselves and also removing every borderline between ourselves. Until that is achieved, alongside hanging all corrupt political representatives to death, we won't progress forward.

I believe removing the appointed heads by the colonies to installed the people we chose will bring better result but can we actually do that yes but its definitely going to be hard since they interfere with the day to day activities of Africa like they own it.

[Mr_Brilliant$]

…

True, most of what you have said is valid.. But I don’t think those are the only things holding Africa back from becoming what it ought to be. What you’ve mentioned are important challenges, no doubt, but I believe the problem runs much deeper than that..

The reason I say this is because we have been talking about these same issues for decades, poor infrastructure, weak institutions, corruption, inconsistent policies, and yet very little seems to change.. So the real question is, WHY?

To me, it is because there is a very strong system that does not want to see a different Africa.. There are people and interests that benefit from the Africa we have today, so the cycle continues.. The corruption, poor leadership, weak institutions, and underdevelopment do not just exist in isolation, they are sustained by a system that profits from keeping things exactly as they are..

Until that system is challenged and African leaders begin putting the continent long term interests ahead of personal and external interests, we will likely keep having the same conversation while the continent potential remains untapped..

[SUPERSAIAN]

Maybe Africa should borrow a leaf or two from powers like China
1. Try as much as possible to do away with the Western policies (monetary, political etc.). Those policies are designed to milk the other trading partners. Those grants, loans, donations you see are a big thorn to the development of any country.
2. Good hard on industrialization and stop exporting the precious minerals at a giveaway price.
3. Embrace the culture and long-lost traditions that got messed up by the colonization

Honestly I think Africa and most parts of the world are still under colonialism from the west, but they just won't admit it.

They didn't take China as an example, which is a good one. China turned inward, developed its own production and technology, and is now a global giant. Africa, on the other hand, is a vast continent. They were exploited for years, and are still being exploited, no matter how much they deny it. In fact, if they accepted it, they could change the situation; the problem persists because they refuse to accept it.

[Stepstowealth]

Africa is a very interesting continent, possessing many of the ingredients needed to becoming one of the world's leading  economic powers. With the world's youngest population, abundant critical minerals, about 60% of the world's uncultivated stable land, rapid urbanization and a fast growing digital economy. A well positioned economy to drive global growth.

There are some investors who have recognized the potential that Africa possesses, investors like Aliko Dangote, and as a result of this has focused massively to invest in Africa instead of taking their investment elsewhere, and even though some of these investors are Africans themselves some of them are not influenced to invest in Africa because this is where they are from but rather because they've done their research and they've recognized the potential that's Africa holds in the next couple of years to be a very profitable ground for those we invested in it. The young and emerging population of Africa will be an asset if invested into.

[uneng]

The question is, how are you going to create value without creating your own technology? That is the problem third world countries face. They have the materials and resources, but they lack their own technology to manufacture. Therefore, they continue eternally hostages of first world countries which own such technologies and sell the final products at expensive prices.

I've been hearing lots of promises and theories regards the country where I live, Brazil. There is a saying which claims Brazil is the country of the future, and then a joke comes on the sequence stating it's a future which never comes.

Maybe in Africa you are hearing now what we have been hearing here for decades already. So you are still full of expectations. After all, we face a similar issue which prevents those dreams becoming true: institutional and generalized corruption rates on every spheres of society.

[Fortify]

Africa is a very interesting continent, possessing many of the ingredients needed to becoming one of the world's leading  economic powers. With the world's youngest population, abundant critical minerals, about 60% of the world's uncultivated stable land, rapid urbanization and a fast growing digital economy. A well positioned economy to drive global growth.

Obviously Africa's greatest challenge is not a lack of resources, it's the inability to capture enough value from them. Many countries export raw commodities such as crude oil, cocoa, lithium, and copper, while importing the higher value products made from those same resources. The value trap consequently limits industrialization, job creation and long-term economic growth.

The problem is compounded by weak institutions, inconsistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, limited access to finance, skill gaps, political instability on some regions and high debt burden.These structural barriers make it harder for businesses to grow and ultimately discourage investment.

As global supply chains diversify and demand for critical minerals, technology and new markets rises, Africa has a rare opportunity to redefine its role in the global economy. If the continent strengthens governance, invests in infrastructure and human capital, also shifting from exporting raw materials to producing high value goods and services, it could emerge as one of the world's most important economic engines.

Africa's future will be shaped not by the resources it owns, but by the value it creates from them.

Sadly Africa comes from a tribal type background that never managed to mature enough to the next stage before getting overrun by outsiders who were able to formulate strategies to take advantage of them. This means that even if they were able to suppress their own in fighting on the continent, there are external powers trying to drag them in lots of different directions for their own global games. At this point of globalization it has never been harder for them to control their own future, because even with the greatest leaders for their people, it could step on someone elses toes that will get them replaced either gently or by violent force. The best they might be able to hope for is incrementally trying to insert transparent processes and systems into their governments which might help rein in some of the most obvious corruption.

[logfiles]

Exactly, I called it neo colonialism or imperialism. They pretend to have given full control of the countries back to its people but gave it to appointed representatives who will be able to carry out their interest without questioning because one they are either ignorant or greedy enough to think self when the African orientation is communal. Cutting off the western policies will be very difficult because people will suffer but is better fate to be faced than what we and others are facing today through imperialism and neocolonialism.

The independence dream was just sold to most colonies so that the rebellions stop, but they are still under the grip of the West. If you want to prove this, let a country try to move away from the current world order such as stop using the US dollar for trade, and you will see how pissed of the IMF, World Bank, the US and the rest of the west will be.

The only way you can have strong feet to stand and walk is by starting with crawling, and then you progress all the way up. Sure, people will suffer, but they have still been suffering for decades. I sometimes watch some documentaries from different African nations and I can not help but wonder why people in a continent that had’s good climate, favorable soil and a lot of minerals still has people leaving with very bad poverty.

[WillyAp]

As long as the African people  don't receive a popular high education the infights will keep on.
How many countries have successfully united in Africa?

[bhadz]

Just like Africa and my country, it's exploited by incompetent and corrupt leaders. Rich in natural resource but the ones sitting in the position to enrich it aren't doing the right thing. I hope that someday this great continent and country of mine will become one of the richest in the world and there won't be anymore exploitation, and people will be more educated and understand the rights that they have to fight for against oppression and abuse of those who are in authority. While it will take time, we know the world is round and things that are in bottom right now could be in the top soon.

[Arenga pinnata]

Well, I think that even as an Asian, I have to admit that Africa has enormous potential to become a continent that could actually be wealthier than anyone imagines. This continent has natural resources that are just waiting to be managed more wisely. What I mean is that the raw materials produced should be processed domestically; we must not allow other countries to continue profiting simply because Africa keeps producing raw materials and then selling them abroad. The same thing happens in my country, too.

But the real problem and the one that has always been an obstacle to progress and prosperity is the rampant corruption that persists from the lowest to the highest levels. I won’t just blame the government, because in reality, corruption often occurs at the grassroots level as well.

[pooya87]

The biggest problem Africa faces is from without not within. Granted we are seeing the end of the colonizers as we are establishing a World Order after 300 years of their pillaging and plundering and bloodsheding... but this transitional phase is going to tough. However, the good news is that with a World Order established and colonizers becoming insignificant and obsolete, the world as a whole can breathe once again and many countries including those in Africa can slowly start seeing peace which is the first step for development.

Take Sudan for example. The colonizers still want their resources and are stealing it by creating wars can chaos. Did you know back in March and April when Iran was heavily bombing all the US/NATO military bases across West Asia, the bloodshed in Sudan slowed down to halt? The Western proxies could not receive the munition from the colonizers (through the Zionist bin Zayed proxy) so they could not commit massacres in Sudan any longer and the Sudani forces finally managed to push them back liberating their cities during those months...
In this case it doesn't matter if Sudan has vast resources including one of the largest gold mines in the world. As long as there is foreign intervention by corrupt regimes trying to steal their resources, they won't see peace.

Of course there are other important things needed to solve the fundamental issues. Such as a wise leader who can get people moving. Get them off their asses and make them believe in their capabilities and be able to fix years of brainwashing by the colonizers that has convinced them "they can't".