

The hopeful continent

Africa rising

After decades of slow growth, Africa has a real chance to follow in the footsteps of Asia

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Readers' comments



What a fantastic article. As a former aid worker in Africa for many years, all I can say is let's hope the optimism expressed here actually plays out in real life. Keep in mind also that the suffering of people in Africa is still immense, and one other major factor needed for success is controlling such epidemics as aids, malaria etc. Still, kudos to the Economist for highlighting the continent - great work guys!

Its wonderful too see a positive article about Africa from a major publication. It is indeed virgin territory and the opportunities there are amazing. To the list of Gold, mining and energy it would also be worth adding farmland investment as well. McKinsey Quarterly did a study a few months ago on Africa and had a special section on agriculture and the huge investment needed in that sector. With lots of small hold farmers and even unused land, there is tremendous upside. The key for all of these sectors though is good governance - predictable, rule of law (or at least some semblance of it), and the creation of win-win situations for both investors and the local populations so everyone is on side. China is everywhere in Africa, so will they end-up dominating the continent instead?


While I agree with most of what is said here, I disagree that the African people should give up communal ownership. Asking these people to give up all of their ways and adopt our ways, when our's are inherently flawed to begin with is just disrespectful of the truly beautiful culture many of these people come from. Yes, it would make some sense financially in our way of thinking and in our culture, but I think Westernized viewpoints and intolerance are why it has taken Africa so long to get this far. Why push them into reforming to our ways when this should be a truly global economy with many different factors? Yes, it would be easy, but is it right? I believe the most beneficial answer and the final answer for Africa will be a resounding, No.


It is wonderful to read positive things about Africa's prospects! But we all need to keep in mind that these are only numbers and statistics. The worst part of Africa's situation is the lives of the people. They are struggling and even though diseases numbers may be looking better, it is only better than the absolute horror of what it was before. It is going to be a long and tough road toward a civilized Africa, but I agree wholeheartedly that it is in their future. The most important part of all these aid giving organizations is that they must help the Africans learn to help themselves. When that starts then who knows where they will go.


"It has more than 600m mobile-phone users—more than America or Europe."

This factoid deeply impressed me, I was not aware it was that large of a market for a business that necessitates a large amount of infrastructure.

I concur with the conclusions being drawn here. I have always thought that Africa holds a huge amount of potential looking into the 21st century and while corruption is still a huge issue, it seems like progress is being made.

The African Union has to pull together and do more to end rivalries between small groups of people that are tearing apart the continent's countries. With less conflict there won't be much holding Africa back.


China has proven to the world that aid, not trade, is the key to economic success in Africa.

Africa has benefited from its ties with China more than it has from its decades-old relationship with Europe, and the West in general. Today millions of Africans are connected to the internet thanks to cheap smart phones imported from China - few Africans can afford the expensive iPhones, iPads and laptops available to many in the West. Mobile banking in Kenya, which has been lauded as a success story even by The Economist, would not be possible without cheap phones made in China.

Despite the criticism and lack of transparency in its dealings with African governments, I prefer the Chinese model of trade than the Western model of aid in Africa

(Disclaimer: by aid I mean concessionary loans worth billions of dollars made to African governments yearly, not the work done by the Gates Foundation or other charities)


Africa with all its richness in commodities should be one of the richest places on earth.

However years of European exploitation,colonialism and European funded wars has had its effect...


Okay I don't agree with how this article keeps comparing Africa to countries like the US and India. The US growing by 2.3% and Africa is growing by 3%. BIG WHOOP. First off, the US is a DEVELOPED country, really how much more can the US grow? Its already developed therefore it won't be growing at rapid rates. Secondly, most of Africa is stage 2 of the DTM and are underdeveloped countries, so the fact that an underdeveloped Africa is growing a mere .7 more than a developed country, shows that Africa isn't really growing that fast. Yes they are finally starting to make some progress, but the only reason is India and China and other foreign investors are buying land so that they can harvest resources to make their own products and feed THEIR OWN people, not the african citizens. India and China give so little back to the African people, and they are just used as cheap labor, and not much is being done to help them and build up communities. Africa is growing, but it would be growing at a much faster pace if there was more stability within the governments and people, and if poverty/starvation rates weren't so high.


Just like everyone else, it is African countries' own responsibility and choice as to where they are headed, and if the declining western influence in the continent is any indication, when no longer prevented from deciding their own fate, they frequently choose a better future.


With the almost depression in Western Europe and a sluggish economy in the US, Africa, especially the central and southern parts, is where the future lies in terms of economic growth and business opportunities. The Chinese people have understood it and those who will not grasp that reality have a lot to lose in my opinion.


This article not too optimistic and not too pessimistic. The growth of the middle class in Africa is a big win, and is a promising fact for the future. However, I am very concerned that growth will actually widen the gap between the rich and the poor in africa, creating a strong cycle of poverty that isn't able to be cured. I also fear for Africa's environment, as most trade with the outside world involved natural resources. I hope the poor and the environment are taken into consideration as China and other non-Western states begin investing in Africa.

I also agree that Western countries should rid themselves of the idea that aid will solve all problems. It won't!


Africa has a huge potential for growth. It has been spared from environmental destruction unlike Europe and America where the Industrial Revolution took a toll. This, coupled with increased stability in nations like Kenya and South Africa, make the continent a place looking more and more attractive for investors.


Due to Africa's interest in technology and a more improved government they are starting to rise nearly 6%. Look out China here comes Africa! Well actually Africa is only increasing due majorly to China's presences in Africa. Although these great things are happening in and to Africa that doesn't mean things are great over there. There is still poverty and a lot of fighting especially with the new form of government Africa has been struggling over. Surprisingly enough though Africa's middle class is rising and produces the most amount of income leading Africa into this 6% rise. Whenever I think of Africa I think of a very impoverished country when really they are starting to get into the modern age with technology and a rising market/population.


It is remarkable that Africa seems to be heading in the right direction after previous turmoil. Although they have a long way to reach the economic strength of countries in Asia, gradual improvement is perfect for their situation. The population is increasing, and the country will have to find more ways to satisfy everyone's needs. I personally did not know about Africa's technological advancements, which further leads me to believe that many African countries are making revivals. However, when most people think of Africa, they think of those countries still experiencing extreme corruption, violence, and harsh environmental conditions. It is going to take a lot from the countries with potential world power status to give the entire African continent a good name. The gap of struggling and developing countries in Africa is too small.


This is a wonderfully uplifting article. It gives me much pleasure to learn that the most underdeveloped continent is finally starting to look up. As the article says; corruption and autocracy won't happen overnight, but the small things that have changed, such as the AIDS/HIV rate and income increases, are just the beginning of what is to come for the countries in Africa. A slow, steady, increase in economy and government have been the starting lines for change. Finally, after the horrible health, corruption and economic problems those countries have faced, the people of Africa have been given a reason to have hope.


"Western governments should open up to trade rather than just dish out aid. America’s African Growth and Opportunity Act, which lowered tariff barriers for many goods, is a good start, but it needs to be widened and copied by other nations. Foreign investors should sign the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which would let Africans see what foreign companies pay for licences to exploit natural resources. African governments should insist on total openness in the deals they strike with foreign companies and governments."
It would be ridiculous to say Africa is anywhere near the economic power of Asia, but they do have the possibilities to become a power. If we would open up free trade to them instead of just providing aid, that would help us and them in the long run. I believe there should be a plan like NAFTA but that includes Africa so they can build themselves up and become a major economic power.


Africa is definitely heading in the right direction towards economic growth but it will be a very long time until Africa becomes as powerful as Asia and can overcome their many obstacles such as; starvation, disease, corruption, lack of infrastructure, civil war, violence, and poverty. Africa is slowly growing but most of the continent seems to be stuck in a never ending "poverty trap".


This article is misleading. Some countries in Africa are doing pretty well for themselves, but the majority are struggling. Any surge in economical growth in these African countries will be magnified because their economies are so small. Ok, Africa might have the "ten fastest-growing countries" but they also have at least 15 counties ranked near the bottom of GDP amongst the worlds nations. Also many of these countries are single-commodity economies. Their entire economy is based of a single primary commodity. For Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, to really catch up to the rest of the world they need to be more economically diverse. Terror and conflict are also a huge element holding African countries back. It's an endless cycle of the poor turning to drugs and arms to get money and not because they want but because it's the only way for them to provide for themselves. I hate to be such a pessimist about all this, but we can't just look at these numbers and think Africa is doing alright for themselves. There's much more going on.


I get worried when I see articles of this sort, and the West beginning to take an interest in Africa.For a start, the West should leave us Africans alone - pay us no interest at all,we would much prefer it that way,and in any case we are getting used to the Brazillians,Russians,Indians and Chinese.This article, and this renewed interest in Africa, appears to be a prelude and preparation for another round of plunder by the West.

Meergans in reply to femi

Dear Femi! Word for word, this could have been written by myself. As a sailor i had the luck to see a bit of Afrika and i am impressed for life. I am very interested in african things since then, especially lifestyle music and arts. We are of the same opinion. May life be good to you! Yours Rudi Meergans from Germany

carlos dominguez

I remember how daunting it was to gather statistics when I was an economic journalist in Africa in he late 90s. Now you can find reliable figures up to date. Consultancy firms are also making sectorial studies on a everyday basis. I also remember, when one could get across some figures, how hard it was to match them with reality. No numbers could describe what was on display in the streets. I remember reading your hopeless continent piece in Lagos. There was a lot of insight in it. There is also insight in this one. The only way forward then, as now, is for people to give themselves decent governments. The growth in Africa now looks impressive, but it is only a fraction of what could be actually be achieved. Africans, if given the opportunity, would show anyone ways to make money and move forward that we in the overrich countries cannot even start to imagine. They are not going to be the next China, but this does not mean they are not going to grow or be relevant. Fasten your seatbelts, because the kind of development and growt we are going to see, with some luck and much struggle, will not only be huge, but also unique, original and forward thinking. Europe or America will not be protagonist, Asians or Latin American will. They now how to thrive in African conditions, they were just there. An expect a few African business leaders taking up rich world companies as well. African are both modern and rooted in traditions. The culture making activity is also enormous. I dont see it as optimistic, but just inevitable. It is happening, we need to learn to look harder to see.


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