Since May 2010, I have suggested re-coining the term BRICs which, as we all know, focuses on the economic prowess and growth rates of Brazil, Russia, India, China and in Africa only South Africa.
Looking at the world demographic trends, it is clear that the future of the world might just be played in Africa: Africa is the "youth" of the world. This is a reservoir of youth, reservoir with big investment needs.
Recently I attended the Africa Brain Trust 2012 forum entitled "Africa Rising: A Continent of Opportunity," which concentrated on reinforcing support for promising development-aid strategies, providing a networking venue for interested professionals and encouraging foreign investment.
We must make a greater commitment to educating Africa's greatest resource -- the brain of the African child. We need to move the African child to the front row of our development agenda.
What is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and what value does this development paradigm have for Africa?
America views Africa through nonprofits and disaster-craven media, while America through the glorified prism of the culture we export around the world. Jersey Shore isn't all of America. And Darfur isn't all of Africa.
Most of the world's poorest people lack access to basic services such as clean water and electricity. Over the past 50 years, centralized water and power projects have largely bypassed these population groups.
More can, and should be, done to facilitate the spread of partnership models in Africa. Too often, activities remain small-scale, localized and isolated, as actors lack the capacity, resources or incentives to scale up their operations.
