The Future of the State of Africa

Africa's potential is often overlooked. Yet the continent abounds in untapped natural and human resources. The United Nations, for example, estimates that there are over 800 million hectares of unused, cultivable land that could provide the basis for a green revolution in food production -- land which could be used to tackle food shortages in Africa and in other continents.

The remarkable progress that Africa has made in the past decade is also not widely recognized. Across the continent there are numerous success stories. We have seen the spread of free and fair elections, an increase in school enrollment rates and determined efforts to combat malaria. The boom in mobile phones has transformed communication and helped business.

The tragedy is that when millions of Africans believed their countries and continent were finally on the right track, their hopes are being dashed by problems whose roots lie elsewhere. While the global crisis and climate change are creations of the North, it is Africa which is worst affected and least able to cope. The social and political consequences are profound.

Yesterday, the Africa Progress Panel, on which we sit, launched its 2009 State of Africa report in Cape Town. We recognize that the roots of the development crisis often begin outside Africa. But the reality is that the main responsibility for tackling the challenges Africa faces lies with its own leaders.

This does not mean that the rest of the world can walk away. Africa's international partners have a critical part to play in supporting the continent's progress, and share responsibility for tackling imported problems. They also have an interest to do so: social tension and political instability in Africa have clear international costs and consequences.

At a time when other financial flows are dropping, G8 and donor countries have an even greater responsibility to honor their international aid commitments and to ensure that global deals, whether on trade, climate change, intellectual property, illicit drugs, crime or migration, are supportive of Africa's development needs. Aid, effectively used, can leverage other financial flows, strengthen capacities and meet urgent social and humanitarian needs.

But without bold, focused and sustained leadership from African Governments, outside assistance won't safeguard the continent's people or protect the progress already made.

Big problems create the opportunity for big thinking. Africa's leaders, who have already shown what can be achieved, now need to redouble their efforts to guide their continent through these challenges.

They also need the active participation of their citizens. Accountability of leadership is paramount. Holding those in authority to account is a tradition and practice that has long roots in Africa's culture. But in many parts of the continent, it is frayed. There are too many instances of corruption, growing inequality in wealth and opportunity, and the abuse of power.

Alongside determined and accountable leadership at the national level, a strong, united position on the global stage is vital. A forcefully negotiated common African position on climate change, for example, is needed for Copenhagen Summit. We have already seen how effective unity can be. The meeting of African leaders in London ahead of the G20 Summit ensured the needs of the developing world were not forgotten. It played a major role in the G20s funding pledges, including the $100 billion for international development banks to lend to the poorest countries.

Clear-sighted African leadership, supported by effective international partnership, can turn the challenges Africa is facing into an opportunity. The APP believes that Africa can take the lead in pioneering a new, low-carbon development model. The take off of the mobile phone in Africa ended the need for an expensive network of landlines to be put in place. In the same way, the continent can make use of its vast solar, hydro, wind, thermal and biomass resources to drive forward its renewable energy sector, leapfrogging the outdated, fossil fuel based system.

The scope for investment in Africa's infrastructure, agriculture and communications are vast. So are the benefits it could bring. The spread of financial services to the poor has shown the potential for innovative investments. A drive for investment in these sectors will not only create jobs and increased trade in Africa, but also create markets for developed countries in these difficult times.

Africa is enormously rich in potential. Amidst the gloom, there is an opportunity to be seized. If we have the courage and vision to rise to the challenge, it will benefit the 900 million people who live on the continent and create a valuable growth platform for the global economy.

Kofi Annan, Graca Machel and Michel Camdessus are members of the Africa Progress Panel (www.africaprogresspanel.org)

 

Comments

[Directmale]

Until people in Africa have private property rights that allow them to know their land and possessions will not be taken from them they will not make the improvements needed to make them successful. Until other countries in the world get their heads out of their a...s and really make an effort to control malaria the continent will not improve much. A million African children under 5 will die this year from malaria in Africa. That is one child every 30 seconds. Since only 5% of malaria vctims die, that means that over 20,000,000 Africans get malaria and the cost to AFrica runs into the billions of dollars in health care and economic loss. The most affordable, most effective and a safe way to control malaria is the use of DDT. The enviro groups and the politically correct groups around the world have used false science and exaggerations to demonize the pesticide even though scientific evidence proves that, used correctly, DDT doesn't pose an environmental threat and it is not harmful to people. Everywhere DDT is used, malaria cases dramatically decrease while surrounding countries that don't use it have yearly increases in the number of cases. Until the Western Countries start caring more about African children and their parents than they do about their environmental religion and smug self satisfaction we all should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this tragedy to continue.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***If you can name me a continent (with the exception of Antarctica) that is free of corruption, degradation, the denial of HIV/AIDS, crazy heads of state... then go ahead. But until you can, you need to accept the facts that your arguments are biased.***

They aren't biased. I would criticise other continents too, but this thread is based on Africa, and the points I made are undeniable.

***No, he's just a racist with the new found novelty of venting his spleen thanks to the anonymity of the internet...***

See? This is my point.

Any factual criticism of Africa is marginalised as racism.

So nothing gets done because the problems cannot be even accepted, let alone solved.

As for anonymity, I would say these things in person too.

[mariegachelin]

How's free press, democracy and transparency?

[Flavor]

Look we all know that africa is a rich country, that has yet to be developed. We also know that the powers that be hold the people hostage. Africa has no buisness having people starving, but when you have people in power fighting over the same thing (power) year in and year out, who do you think suffers, the poor people. This country has the land to develop great things and the people could be taught about buisness and entrepreneurship because the people of africa are so talented. The people are sitting on milk and honey and have not been able to cultivate what they have. People who are in power stop progress and there for nothing can get done there. First, you have to go to leadership and try to convince them that they already have the resources to develop and the people to help do this, and you have to have a plan explaining how this development will work for the government and the people. When a person can use his or her talent and be able to sell what they have made they can take care of their family and put money back into africa, they can build their own homes ect.... but the powers that be are the one's you have to talk to before change can take place. just my view.

[Somali4Obama]

Africa is a CONTINENT.

[Flavor]

Your right! Thanks.

[roudy]

Well, not according to Sarah.

[politicaleconomy]

Dictatorship and multi-ethnicity within African states is a key problem with development issues. These modern day countries were made from colonies of the imperial powers and completely merged peoples together. Why do you think there is so much strife? Most of these natively multi-ethicities have had to fight to be the sovereign under a unitary system of government at the expense of other ethnicities.

If Africa is going to develop as a whole, the ethnicities are going to have to get along for the sake of their livelihood.

To everyone saying Africa was never "anything" to the world. Try University of Sankore in the Mali empire or the rich gold-trading empires of Denkyira and Ashanti. The latter having a complex bureaucracy to deal with foreign affairs.

[Denverzoom]

of all the people, Africans don't need a leadership insight from a one sided corrupt x-UN secretary general... no disrespect to the other two contributors but I would be delighted if you could ask him, what he contributed in matters like Genocide in Sudan and many other African Nations, the Eritrean-Ethiopian boarder conflict, Somalia, AIDS...the oil for food program or just talk for the sake of it.

[Ohming]

The very best (sincerly) gift Africa could receive from the U.N. or anywher, would be the worlds' largest condom factory.

[Klimb]

By that you mean?

[AProudLiberalDem]

Ohming is referring to the AIDs epidemic in Africa. Over 42 million people world wide are living with HIV/AIDS, and 74 percent of these infected people live in sub-Saharan Africa. I agree, one of the best gifts Africa could get is anything (including condoms) that would help prevent this horrible disease.

[Wombaticus]

With all possible respect Africa, you need to stand up and get rid of the dictators. Its gonna be painful, but YOU have to do that. South Africa has already done it and they are damn proud of that fact, it validates and energizes the population.
For the rest of Africa...at this point, the West feels like its money down a rat hole. The West can and will help of course, but Africa must DO.

Of course I speak from my position of "Officially Appointed Exalted One True Voice of The West"...but I think I am close to the mark to spout off here. There are several hundred million citizens, and only a few hundred thousand gun totin bullies...tops! It's GO time.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***And if the Europeans had not so happily been there with their boats and their guns... Afriicans did not put out an ad saying "come to our continent and take what you will." ***

No, but the Europeans said "You Selling?" and the Africans said "Yeah Sure".


But that's then.

None of this has anything to do with Mugabe for example destroying Zimbabwe, or the genocide in Darfur, or the madman in charge of the Gambia, or the other madman in charge of Libya, or South Africa's absurd denialism of HIV, or AIDS-ridden Swaziland's tribal chief head of state trying to buy a private jet, or the mess of Mauretania, or the corruption of Togo etc....

But hey, maybe Bob Geldof can keep tossing money and concerts at them.

[TanzaniaTeacher]

If you can name me a continent (with the exception of Antarctica) that is free of corruption, degradation, the denial of HIV/AIDS, crazy heads of state... then go ahead. But until you can, you need to accept the facts that your arguments are biased.

[DailyElitist]

My do you ever have a warped conception of history.

[papapj]

No, he's just a racist with the new found novelty of venting his spleen thanks to the anonymity of the internet...

[Wealer]

I read somewhere the multinationals and defense contractors are regularly undermining political systems with imperial style graft and bribes to snr. government officials in emerging African democracies. Might not be so bad except the by-products are large amounts of weapons for the militaries that will eventually have to put down anyone to tries to point this out in any meaningful fashion.
Many western justice departments have tried to shut this down but were eventually silenced by their own presidents and prime ministers anxious for support in the war on terror from suspected participants.

T I A.

[AlwaysFairDem]

What did you do Mr. Annan when you were leading the UN for Africa except use your position to enrich yourself and your son. It is rather hypocritical of someone like you to preach it to the masses who really understand Africa. Please just disappear!!

[Klimb]

So if you are so sure about your claim...elaborate! Mr. Annan was the best Africa ever had!

[Euroflycars]

(continued from my previous comment)

bigthat wrote: "Each country should start by giving its citizens its own plot of land. They can farm, look for minerals or sell it..."

my humble self: This fundamental right shoud indeed be stated on top of the Charter of Human Rights, with specifications such as age limit before it can be sold, the use of the financial counter-part for education, entrepreneurship or housing only, and the maximum number of plots an individual can purchase from another individual.

bt: "Those that receive lands with precious gems need only hire someone who knows what he is doing, pay a fair wage and a % of the profits..."

mhs: Nope! The underground should be declared international property from a certain depht downwards (same as international waters and circumterrestrian space).

Yet, alas, long before Africa will be ready to leapfrog the automobile and step directly into the era of massively popularized individual aeromobility, Russia, China, and India will probably have to go through the same ordeal as America (and soon Europe too)!

[Euroflycars]

"The take off of the mobile phone in Africa ended the need for an expensive network of landlines to be put in place..."

The original cause of the financial crisis was the political decision to promote the automobile with the consequent frustration generated by the mere illusion of individual mobility it offered to the masses whom the government wanted to keep out of the airspace for strategic reasons. This may hopefully inspire Africa to skip the automobile era with the gigantic construction and maintenance costs of a continent-wide road network, and enter directly the era of massively popularized individual aeromobility.

All that is needed to bring about this quantum leap in individal freedom of movement, is to set up mass-production of a flying model T...

[greyhound2]

Africa has potential? There have been people living in Africa for about 5 million years. What is taking them so long?

[Euroflycars]

You'd rather remember how little time has gone by since the whites took the lead!

[bighat]

Before anything else. the citizens in each country of Africa need freedom

Africa will only gain standing for its people and the world by standing up for themselves. No more aid. Leads to big bank accounts for dictators and weapons to oppress the African people.

Each country should start by giving its citizens its own ;plot of land. They can farm, look for minerals or sell it. State property benefits no one but state officials.

Allow investments that can flow in and out of the country. I do not mean wall street investment. I mean someone who picks up their family moves to Africa buys a farm but may still send money to a different country with more financial stability. Hopefully the people they hire to work on this land will learn and use the knowledge on their own land.

Those that receive lands with precious gems need only hire someone who knows what he is doing. pay a fair wage and a % of the profits and the workers should pay attention and learn
So on and so forth.

your own entrepeneurs will arise.. The world has markets and will buy. Asking for investment by other govt is unrealistic. Economy is unstable. But with freedom Africa can once again take its place in the world.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***Africans are to blame for slavery? I'm pretty sure that is the most ridiculous thing I have read here in a very long time. They did not put themselves on the boats that arrived from Europe and other Western locations. They did not subject themselves to being ripped from their families and their homes to be delivered into misery in Europe and the "New World".***

Erm...actually they did put themselves on those boats. Slaves were captured in tribal wars by other Africans and exchanged for arms supplied by Europeans.

[TanzaniaTeacher]

And if the Europeans had not so happily been there with their boats and their guns... Afriicans did not put out an ad saying "come to our continent and take what you will."

The fact that some horrible things were perpetrated by Africans to Africans does not change the fact that horrible things were perpetrated by Americans and Europeans on Africans.

As a matter of fact, horrible things are perpertrated by everyone to everyone at some point in history if you look at it closely.

[Klimb]

"As a matter of fact, horrible things are perpertrated by everyone to everyone at some point in history if you look at it closely".


The Europeans who left their homeland or Europe had civil strifes amongst themselves. In Scotland alone, clans clashed e.g the Campbell clan fought with the McDonald clan (still hold the grudge, today), Mussolini, Lenin, Hitler. In Northern Ireland the catholics and protestant remain in arms against each other; Sunni and Shia and etc, etc.

HUMAN BEINGS WILL ALWAYS FIND A REASON TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST EAH OTHER NO MATTER WHETHER THEY ARE RELATED, SAME COLOR, SAME RELIGION,
SAME NATIONALITY, SAME FAMILY, ETC, ETC!!!