The hopeful continent

Africa rising


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Wrote this elsewhere, but

Ghana looks like the best country to invest in. They have a better per-person GDP than the rest of West Africa and they are experiencing high growth.

Stable politics, very little ethnic tension, steady oil revenue, and a large diaspora in the UK and US who are reasonably well educated.

Were I a betting man, I'd put my chips on Ghana to have a decent looking century, because let's be honest, Africa is still a mess. They don't understand how to operate large businesses, apart from a few talented guys like Aliko Dangote. Unlike Jews, Asians, and Anglos, Africans don't get along or work well with each other. They trust foreigners more than each other, and that's how they get duped time and time again. So unfortunately, they'll be losers until 2100. After that, they'll become cohesive.


I'm from Zimbabwe and I have done my fair amount of travelling around the world. Reminds you of Sarah Palin asking if Africa is a country. I'm shocked and disgusted by the amount of ignorance folks display in their comments in this article...kinda remind u of a scene in the movie "Mean Girls" where 1 of the chicks asks Lindsay, if she is from Africa, why is she white.

Living in Africa I'm not surprised about the growth figures or the amount of technological uptake...take my country, Zimbabwe for example. Despite being known for its recent economic troubles, it embrassed Green Technology way before it became the buzz it is today..Eastgate Building(google it) or Green Fuels(, we learnt of ethanol for fuel way back in the 70s & 80s at primary school.

The problem is that Africans do not publicize their success stories, and living in an African country, I know the successes. I suppose the problem with Africans is that they don't control CNN or dominate BBC like our Indian friends to the extent that you can control what people watch about your country.

From the comments you can tell who is living or has lived in Africa and who is commenting based on propaganda, and yet folks still prefer to comment so AUTHORITATIVELY ON THINGS THEY DON'T KNOW...during the Zimbabwean eco-political crisis, prior to 2009, we had western visitors who ONCE THEY LANDED IN Harare were very impressed about the country even tho it was in state of crisis that they began to understand how propaganda has messed up their views. Remember World Cup 2010 in South Africa...I had a lively debate with a guy from Scotland whose knowledge of Africa was based on misinformation by an nostalagic pro-apartheid South African...the Scot swore that the World will be a disaster and after the tournament he was left ashamed. I witnessed the same with an Indian colleague who "knew" it all until India messed up a small event like the commonwealth...hope folks understand the contrast...why dont folks judge others on capability & not skin colour.
Again we see this perception problem in this article, Africa is developing because of India & China...what a joke given that Africa fairs far much better in social indicators than India, things like infant mortality, etc...ever wondered why someone would leave the luxury of the USA, China or Europe to come & live and become a Zimbabwean passport holder???
Of course Africa, like Asia, Europe, the Americas etc has it's share of problems but the problem will always be that of being viewed in the lens of other continents.
If there is fighting in Uganda,or DRC or drought in Somalia, folks always see this as engulfing the whole of Africa...the propaganda is so disgusting..even this so-called optimist article about Africa, there is a huge amount of negative propapanda...

HOW DOES SUCH A POOR CONTINENT ATTRACT SO MANY CITIZENS OF THE FAIRER AND INFORMED RACES, EUROPEAN, AMERICANS, ASIAN, etc. Yes, Africans have moved out but there are more non-Africans moving into African & calling themselves Africans than going out. This should tell you something.

PL123 in reply to WiseNgwenya

@ WiseNgwenya

Nice to hear the fact from a real Africa...

May be CNN and BBC were helping the NGO to raise more money, that's why more hunger children's pictures, more AIDS patients are needed.

Ruvarashe in reply to PL123

I am a Zimbabwean and i agree with your statement. However, the western media has cost African countries a lot with their portrayals of perpetual poverty. These images have certainly made it more difficult for African countries to attract foreign direct investment. FDI has started flowing into African countries but it's still small in comparison to Asian countries.

In general it must be noted that African countries have not realized their economic potential because western countries will not let them compete in trade in aspects that they have a natural advantage in. For example, it is a fact that African countries gain less from aid than they would from fair trade if the US and EU countries didn't over subsidize their farmers. Oxfam and other organizations have conducted considerable research on these matters.

If Bono and crew are serious about eradicating poverty in Africa they should campaign for fair trade for the continent and not aid.


Europe and America should regret not investing in African rather than giving hand outs, Most African are turning their to the East and they are doing ok. I hope the West will move aside the stereo type about African and do a serious investment and business trade.

C from Cape Town

Originally from the UK I've lived in Southern Africa since I was 21. To me Africa has two great advantages - its people and its enormous physical potential. On the latter countries such as Zambia are sparsely populated and possess prime farmland yet to be developed - not to mention mineral resources. All that is needed is some basic infrastructure to enable business to take place. Once in place the infrastructure will enable the people of Africa to show their true potential. Anyone who has lived here will tell you of the wonderful generosity of Africans, their civility, their reverence for education, and a willingness to work hard to improve themselves. All this is reflected in the growing number of democratic governments. Although democracy is still flawed if it is correlated to economic development Africa is way ahead of many of the more prosperous countries - think of the Middle East. Colin From Cape Town


Africa is the next big thing : I seem to be hearing that story every other year. But somehow the dream always fails to materialize.

Heather Flynn

When many think of Africa, poverty comes to mind. It is known as a continent that needs alot of aid from the world with disease, poverty, and poor conditions. It is hopeful to see that Africa is progressing and has the chance to better their nation. I believe with the right people in power and a helpful hand from other nations that Africa can really turn their broken past around and become a competitive world power.This will clearly not happen overnight but this article proves that there is still some hope for Africa to climb their way in the world race.


It may be a stretch that Africa will follow in the footsteps of Asia anytime soon, but they are making great steps toward progress of digging themselves out of the disease and poverty they have been prisoned to. They have the resources and many states within Africa have reputable leaders steering the people in the right direction. I am rooting for Africa all the way and I hope they can make a positive change for themselves.


"China’s arrival has improved Africa’s infrastructure and boosted its manufacturing sector....(same as) non-Western countries, from Brazil and Turkey to Malaysia and India........"

Magic words right there. The West looks down and lectures Africa incessantly, while others treat them as equal partners, for mutual benefit. Simply put, the West needs to get its act together. There's simply no alternative.

Allen Jang

The past mindset of poverty, disparity, and hopeless when people think about Africa is slowly starting to fade. As Africa continues to grow and improve, other more advanced states should aid and support the growing African nations. Although it is not likely for any African nation to become very powerful in anytime soon compared to other powerful nations, there is no doubt that if this growth continues, African nations will be a significant part of the world's economy.


Africa will especially develop after labor cost increases in Asia will force manufacturing and commercial goods production into Africa. In order to increase development in Africa cultural conflicts and armed struggle will need to decrease or investment from foreign corporations will be too risky. Oil development in Nigeria has taken root but rebel groups often shut down production.


Africans have suffered more than most, for most of the recorded history. Human beings from other places have not been kind to those from our cradle, whether they were European conquerors, American slave traders or now, Chinese businessmen.
It is only a hope that Africans are not handled as pawns in great games between powerful nations.

Africans themselves will have to put an end to their victimization and work out what works for them. And African nations occupying their rightful position in the global community is not just the right thing, it is an essential thing.


Although Africa has been doing very well there are still those radical groups out and rouge governments and anarchy states like somalia that need to be tamed before any hope of Africa getting better can come true. The countries in south africa also have a lot of work ahead of them in the AIDS crisis and Malaria outbreaks in there countries as well. Im very glad to see africa getting better but theres still a ways to go.

Marie Bai

I'm African and all I'm saying is we can only do so much if others are helping instead of always push us down. There is a lot of work to accomplish and I still hope our wish to be as powerful as the big nations will one day becomes true.


Africa is definitely looking towards the East for guidance, as they should. Asian countries have been making numerous arrangements with African farmers for easier produce trading. Many parts of Africa are flourishing agriculturally and Asia is attempting to capitalize on those opportunities. If these African countries play their cards right, they can have some reliable ties towards the East, which will boost their economies as the Asian economies continue to grow.

Robert Salama

Africa is one of the faster growing economy in the world now. even if the Most Africans live on less than two dollars a day but we should see a big different in Africa for the nest few years. A lot of dictator have been out of power and that will put some good people in charge to push the economy forward and will open the African market to the whole world for trade. on the other hand the western world should open their doors for the African trade, and I think that is better than aid. Africa has a lot of natural resources like oil, copper and gold and many other stuff that they can play a good part with the whole world I mean open a new market to the world and that will balance with the Asia so we do not have to face a big rises of prices from Asia. also the growth of Africa will limit the growth of the diseases in Africa, which effect the world in many ways.


Well it's good that Africa is heading in the right direction, but it has a lonnnnngg way to go. I don't even think you can compare Africa and Asia though. They are not even in the same class. As long as Africa's middle class continues to grow, the continent should continue to grow economically. It also may improve socially and politically as more people become well-educated. However, I don't see some African countries improving without a lot of foreign intervention, but what country wants to get involved with that? Also, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is a great idea. I don't know why it had not already been implemented. This will allow African countries to see if they are losing money in the long run and being taken advantage of.


This is a chance for Africa to economically get out of the slump they have had, and be another world power. This could be huge for them, not only would it increase the jobs but decrease some of the poverty because people would have a way to earn money to buy food etc. After being one of the most impoverished countries on the planet, I think that this is a huge step for them even if it does take them a little longer to get out of this hole.



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