The Emerging, Booming, Rising Stories of Africa: Hype or Hope?

Recent editorials on Africa are catchy, grizzly, and even sexy. They come with unique calming aroma. The continent is emerging, booming, rising. The middle class is bulging. So I visited. What I saw is what you will see if you do. The headlines are true for Lagos, Accra, and Addis Ababa, but they are far from the reality in the fringes, the outskirts of the countries. Are the rising, booming, and emerging stories and editorials a hype or hope?

African Poorest Farmers Hit by Climate Change

HARARE, Zimbabwe — As she surveys her small, bare plot in Zimbabwe’s capital, farmer Janet Vambe knows something serious is happening, even if she has never heard of climate change. “Long ago, I could set my calendar with the date the rains started,” the 72-year-old said. Nowadays, “we have to gamble with the rains. If… Continue reading African Poorest Farmers Hit by Climate Change

Africa’s Group of 33

Since 1971 when the least developed countries (LDCs) category was created by the UN, sub-Saharan African countries have dominated the list. Four decades later, with 33 members (only 14 of the region’s 47 countries are not LDCs), sub-Saharan Africa still maintains the biggest regional presence in the group. All parts of the sub-continent are represented.… Continue reading Africa’s Group of 33

Botswana in the Mind of Ghana

Commentary/Ghana/Botswana The August 17 meeting between Ghana’s President John Atta Mills and Botswana’s Ian Khama goes between the normal symbolic bilateral sweet talks. In contemporary African thinking, the core issue between Ghana and Botswana is how their respective democracies are harbingers of progress for the entire African democratic and development growth. The Botswana-Ghana meeting also… Continue reading Botswana in the Mind of Ghana

The Role of the Informal Sector in African Economy

The informal sector of the economy often refers to the unregulated and mostly unregistered sector of the economy, put simply it refers to the numerous petty or small scale businesses operated by artisans, peasants and other micro entrepreneurs, within the economy. Experts have argued that in most African economies, the informal sector is often the… Continue reading The Role of the Informal Sector in African Economy

The Power of Partnerships in Africa, by Kofi Annan

We are witnessing a historic change to the development paradigm. Drastic spending cuts in the United States, uncertainty around Europe’s common currency and the consequences of the earthquake in Japan are reordering international priorities and put further pressure on aid budgets. At the same time, development needs in Africa are multiplying as climate change and… Continue reading The Power of Partnerships in Africa, by Kofi Annan