African Business
January 10th, 2008 at 5:42 pm | posted by Virginia SimmonsInteresting article in Business Week this week by IBM’s Nicholas Donofrio about Africans desires for opportunities instead of handouts.
Some excerpts below.
“For the first time in decades, the African clouds are beginning to part, and it is becoming possible to see our way clear to a far more promising economic, societal, and environmental future for the continent. I believe this not because of what I read in Western newspapers and glossy magazines; I believe it because this is what Africans themselves are telling me….
“I was told by Kingsley Fletcher, also known as King Adamtey I, the Suapolor or traditional ruler of the Se (Shai) state in Ghana. “We want to be partners. We don’t want to be seen as those who only receive.” …
“Africans are well aware they need help. And clearly, the most urgent health needs can and must continue to be addressed through donations and charitable giving. But even more loudly, African thought-leaders are calling for applied investment, private-sector involvement, and entrepreneurial enabling. They want skills and a leg up, not handouts…
“There are signs of hope too. Thanks to the African Growth and Opportunity Act of 2000 (AGOA)—the U.S. trade policy in sub-Saharan Africa that offers tangible incentives for African countries to open their economies and build free markets—business investment in Africa is showing progress…
The full article is here.
-Virginia Simmons
January 10th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Thanks so much, Virginia, for a post here in the ONE blog about Africa’s entrpreneurial spirit. I would love to see more posts just like this one.
Although the article was overall positive (especially the part about AGOA), I was a bit concerned about Danso’s comments about current foreign assistance. And right before the World Economic Forum summit in Davos this month, I’m concerned that comments like his will be given more consideration than the SUCCESSES that foreign aid has had in recent years in Africa.
Let’s have MORE focus on Africa in upcoming posts in our ONE blog. ~
Take very good care of each other. Blessings are always around.
ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE - debbie
January 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
It is important to note that Mr. Donofrio never mentions meeting with workers, trade unions or cooperatives on his trips. Trade must not only benefit owners in Africa, but also workers and should lead to development and rights. The model promoted by Donofrio doesn’t address anything related to empowering workers and protecting their rights. If they are exploited with bad jobs, then that does not lead to positive development.
For more information on the effect of AGOA on textile workers in Africa, please check out this report: http://www.somo.nl/html/paginas/pdf/Footloose_Investors_aug_2007_NL.pdf
For more on flower workers in Africa (mostly focused on Latin America, but some on Africa): http://www.laborrights.org/projects/flowers_index.htm