Opinions

It’s time to change the way we talk and think about Africa     Africa is poor, but we can try to help its people. It’s a simple statement, repeated through a thousand images, newspaper stories and charity appeals each year, so that it takes on the weight of truth.…

The United States is the world’s largest producer of chocolate, despite barely growing any cocoa trees. Conversely, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds over half of the world’s reserves of cobalt, the key raw material for the batteries used to power smartphones and autonomous vehicles. And yet, the DRC…

The role of Africa’s youth in silencing the guns will be critical in a continent where young people bear the brunt of violent conflicts and are often manipulated by warring parties, both state and non-state actors into taking up arms.     As the world ushers in a new decade,…

In Africa and elsewhere, development processes are stronger when they are built on existing networks and mechanisms. Far from being a handicap, therefore, Africa’s informal economy, and the migrants who help drive it, are one of the continent’s most valuable assets.     As we mark International Migrants Day on December…

They are the ones sustaining peace and nurturing society     When we started our peace movement in Liberia in the heat of the civil war in 2003, we were called toothless bulldogs. But we proved that women’s active participation in a peace process can make a significant difference in…

Among the world’s 30 fastest-growing cities, 21 are in Africa. You’ve heard of fast advancements in Asia’s economy. Now get ready for Africa’s.     Twitter TWTR, -2.41%  CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted about his plans to move to Africa in 2020, saying he wants to live there for up to six months. Africa may be…

Africa has taken three significant steps in recent months on its journey to a stronger economic future.   In March, the African Union launched the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This landmark agreement aims to create a single market expected to generate a combined GDP of more than $3.4 trillion…

Innovative PAYGo business models are not only lucrative for the firms that adopt them; they have the potential to improve the lives of millions of Africans, beginning with the neediest rural communities. African policymakers should focus on ensuring that this potential is fulfilled.     The rise of digital pay-as-you-go…

I had one of those way-cool moments — and what I now call the most memorable experience of my life — this past week in Mombasa, Kenya. It all started in late October, when I received an invitation from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) to attend the Open Forum…

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)  presents Africa with an opportunity to leapfrog many of the skills acquisition and structural and infrastructural hurdles that have limited Africa’s progress to date   There is a global narrative that Africa is being left behind by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). We disagree, and…