Development is correct: Why Africa needs more than good intentions. Poverty and development
The annual world economic platform in Davos brings the world’s most influential leaders together with the aim of improving global economic conditions. This year, the promotion of inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa is once again a major conversation theme in the meeting. Yet when it comes to the development of Africa, we often discuss for progress. The continent hosts some of the fastest growing economies in the world, but the average growth is below global standards. This contradiction demands more than analysis – this requires decisive action.
Africa’s ability is extraordinary. The world’s 60 percent of the uncontrolled arable land, a young and dynamic population and the home of vast natural resources, are all materials for transformational development in the continent. The question is not whether Africa can develop – how to remove obstacles blocking its progress.
Today’s development scenario often resembles a wide maze of requirements, reports and conflicting guidelines from hundreds of agencies. While accountability matters, excessive bureaucracy progresses. What is the need of Africa in practical, fundamental fields that run economic growth.
Take energy challenge: Out of 1.37 billion people of Africa, only 50 percent of people have electricity. By 2030, the investment in the energy sector of Africa needs to reach $ 25bn per year to close the energy access gap, which is a dramatic growth compared to today’s expenses. But investment alone is not enough-we need to come up with practical, home-developed solutions. The key is the regional integration of our energy sources – how we will solve our energy crisis. Various regions in Africa have huge hydro, solar and other energy resources. If we prepare the right energy mixture and install a pooled power supply, we can provide electricity to the entire continent through a strong, flexible grid. Such achievement will affect the development of our continent on the development of our continent.
Similarly, it suggests the argument that most of the world’s arable lands have over 280 million people in an continent. This is not due to lack of capacity. This is the result of underworld in neglected rural infrastructure, fragmented markets and agricultural technology. The solution requires strategic investment in roads, irrigation systems and storage facilities, which together with policies that encourage local processing and price joints.
Intra-African trade shows another major opportunity, at just 15 percent of the total trade of the continent. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) promises, but its success depends on practical implementation – construction of roads, modernization of ports and eliminating trade obstacles. These are not revolutionary concepts, but the basic principles of economic development.
The path ahead is clear. First of all, we should streamline development processes. African countries need partners, not overseer. Second, infrastructure investment should be practical and immediate-roads, power plants, and ports that enable real economic activity, interrelationship between nations, and include within an continent-wide strategic vision. Third, we must rely on the local leadership to determine the priorities based on the ground realities, not on distant boardroom principles.
Our youth, whether Magreb (North West Africa), in Central Africa, or in the horn of Africa, deserve education systems that prepare them for a modern workplace. The current courses often resemble ancient assembly lines, failing to equip students with equipment for their future. It should change. Similarly, our healthcare system needs a target investment to reduce mortality and address health inequalities throughout the continent.
Leaders in Davos should focus on tangible steps to accelerate Africa’s inclusive development agenda. The continent does not require more seminars on development theory-it requires practical, result-focused support that enables nations to build strong economies and societies.
This is not just anxious thinking. They are realistic goals supported by the immense potential of the continent.
The option is clear: Continue with business as usual, or embrace a model of growth that prefer the results on the process. The world’s reaction to this option will not only determine the future of Africa, but will also have a course of global prosperity for the coming decades. The time of endless discussion is over – Africa requires action, and now needs it.
The ideas expressed in this article are the author’s own and not necessarily reflecting the editorial stance of Al Jazeera.
