By Elsie Kanza
The negative connotations usually generated by the
word migration never cease to amaze me. In the past
week, Africans have suffered in tragedies at opposite
ends of the continent; in the streets of SA and in the
seas of the Mediterranean.
That these are horrifying and terrible hardly needs
repeating. That they could be prevented by a complete
re-think of how we address their underlying causes and
the mindset we adopt when we consider the issue of
migration, I believe, does.
First, some facts. Africa is not alone in going through an
unprecedented demographic shock. With a population
already larger than 1-billion people and growing
strongly, by 2040 it will have a workforce larger than
China’s. This surge is causing massive challenges in the
form of unemployment and social stability, which are
showing no signs of letting up, unlike in other countries
in Asia and elsewhere that have followed similar growth
patterns.
That this huge spike in population is happening at the
same time as a similarly unprecedented expansion of
urban populations only makes the pressure facing
leaders to find gainful, rewarding employment for
people more intensive. When you consider that up to
60% of Africa’s youth are unemployed according to the
International Labour Organisation, you can get a sense
of the size of the challenge.
Here is one further fact to consider: Africa’s economic
development, fragile and exciting in equal measure, will
increasingly depend on how well it is able to exploit its
greatest natural asset. I’m not referring to diamonds,
gold or oil, but rather, Africa’s people.
I am by nature, but also by data, an Afro-optimist and I
believe the 21st century holds great promise for our
region and our people. Our young, vibrant workforce
will drive a dynamic consumer industries sector,
creating middle-class jobs and opportunities for social
mobility.
This will be helped along by government balance sheets
that are, on the whole, in better shape than most of
Western Europe’s and political environments more
stable – despite the best efforts of extremists – than at
any point in recent history.
These are the factors that have contributed to African
countries making up six of the top 10 fastest-growing
economies in the world this year and enable us to look
forward to better times ahead. It is momentum that has
been hard won but could be easily lost.
The fact that sub-Saharan Africa’s share of world trade
is still only about 3% of total volumes is far too small,
but arguably worse still is the fact that just 12% of our
trade is within Africa itself. Compare that to Europe and
Asia, where the figure is 60% and 40% respectively, and
you can see the scale of the handicap that we have
given ourselves in clawing up the economic ladder.
So, let us consider the following for a manifesto for
Africa: let us educate and train our people so that they
have the skills necessary to become an asset, not a
burden, when they travel in our region. Let us have the
roads, rail and air links (and visa regimes) that our
people deserve so they can generate the wealth and
jobs we so badly need.
Let us have labour laws fit for the 21st century, that
ensure living wages and allow our businesses to
compete with other emerging markets. Let us allow our
greatest natural assets to move within the continent as
we allow our natural resources to exit it, where human
rights and our shared culture are respected and
businesses can invest abroad, knowing that success
depends on their acumen, not their nationality.
Nobody said this would be easy. But I believe Africa’s
2,000 languages and 3,000 ethnicities should be seen as
a source not only of great pride but also great potential.
Think of what we could achieve if we worked together.
This article is published in collaboration with BD Live.
Publication does not imply endorsement of views by
the World Economic Forum.
About the Author:
Kanza is head of Africa at the World Economic Forum.
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