2022 Event Highlights – Session Ten – Africa and the World
Event Highlights
Africa and the World
African leaders share their unique insights on where the continent stands now — and where it’s headed.
Below are some highlights from the session.
The Mother Continent on the Move
Resilience. Monica Geingos, First Lady, Republic of Namibia, said it is all most Africans have ever known, and is personified by the poor, rural, African woman. “Globally, everyone has to be resilient. But in an unequal world, some have to be more resilient than others.”
On investors pulling back, she spoke of prioritizing sectors where there are “massive opportunities,” and the dichotomy that puts Namibia on the forefront of transition, such as fresh oil finds while pushing green hydrogen. Building back begins with addressing inflation, food insecurity, political systems, and a restless youth population, and the “mild coup fever” that is threatening democracy.
Harnessing Africa’s Talent and Creativity
Demographics, youth, innovation and technology. Young minds and young talent are ready to power Africa towards regaining its place as the birth of humanity. How can we unlock this potential?
“Leaders need to look at [youth] and see the potential, because seeing them as a problem is a problem in itself,” said Vimal Shah, Chairman, BIDCO Africa. Youth are the same around the world, with the internet leveling the playing field. Technology is the key to inspiring, along with access to capital and bridging the age-trust gap. “We need to bust the old paradigms and give them oxygen.”
Mohammed Dewji, CEO & President, MeTL Group talked about taking advantage of Africa’s land wealth with disruption in the agricultural sector, the job potential and making Africa the bread basket of the world. Then there is value addition, such as his transition from exporting cotton to an end-to-end process, and grants and no-interest loans for education and entrepreneurship.
That value addition is a passion for Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Group, as is Africa’s vast resources, like diamonds, oil and cocoa. “We have the biggest deposits of everything in the world. It actually needs us more than we need them. We need to wake up and realize that.” She talked about having the youngest population in the world, the resourcefulness of its youth and the trend toward preparing them to vote, and most of all, their resourcefulness to overcome challenges. “It’s not all gloom.”
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