Will Africa’s Growth Help Africa’s People?

Africa has 11 of the world’s 20 fastest growing economies, yet thousands of African youth risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean to pursue opportunities in Europe, notes Kanayo F. Nwanze, president of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development. He questions if growth and development are improving lives for a broad segment of Africans or just a few. Money won’t solve the challenge of corruption, as much as good governance and commitment to the rule of law, Nwanze writes, pointing to Ethiopia, once known for famines, now enjoying economic growth. “The introduction of sound macro-economic policies, strong leadership and a robust agricultural transformation agenda have done what no amount of aid alone could have.” He urges rural development, including schools, infrastructure, as well as environmental protections and biodiversity as well as investing in Africans with fair wages, good jobs and tax payments. – YaleGlobal