Yup, agree the whole “african solutions” seems to be the convenient excuse to ignore problems. Further, an African education, that is curricula with Africa-relevant content (unlike the current colonial and predated education systems), is a farce in many countries. That’s why there’s a need for Africans to start handling their own problems. @Mofya I agree that implementation/enforcement is an ongoing problem. Depending on whose figures you’re looking at, the unemployment rate on the African continent is up to 50% of its entire population. Crime, a lack of employment opportunities, and corruption are the three top problems facing South Africa, according to South Africans. Not really any such thing I am afraid, although there is much the diverse peoples of the planet’s second largest continent can teach many of the rest of us. There are more problems facing the world than can be easily listed. For example "Reforestation and agroforestry schemes can help, for instance, to sequester carbon, prevent flooding, enhance biodiversity, rehabilitate degraded lands, … African solutions should come from firstly indigenous peoples of the continent, that’s where the main problem lies and ultimately that’s where the solutions will come from. This article takes a serious look at major problems in Africa that hold lucrative business opportunities and will make money for entrepreneurs who can unlock its future. Africa needs informed voters. @MLH Regarding the situation in Libya, I’m cautiously optimistic. Therefore, it is key to understanding the current African reality. By observing environmental changes — from the liquid inside certain types of fruit, to the flowers, to the position of the stars — we can predict the strength of the next rainy season and can be more prepared. Disclaimer – both of these exist everywhere, case in point – the recent fifa troubles. Africa has more than 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, a conducive climate for agriculture, and an overwhelmingly young population (more than 60% of the African population is under 25 years old), but millions of people still go hungry every day. I’m an optimist too! I just want engagement with the West to be equitable. Africa has a growing population of over 1 billion people with a projection of about 2.3 billion in the next 40 years. Too true. You can hardly ever go wrong with food in Africa. Developed by Africans? Food is a basic need and a matter of survival. Yet how best to integrate those into sustainable solutions remains a challenge. I think the AU by sending Zuma alone to see Gadaffi they were saying you created the mess go and solve it yourself. “African solutions to African problems” is a pretty simple declaration to tell the West to stay the [email protected]#& out of Africa!!! The fundamental question is how do African leaders generate enough money domestically to best rule their countries with innovative ideas and not violate their citizen’s rights? Optimists and risk takers like to describe Africa as the “world’s last frontier of lucrative business opportunities”. One major problem we have is the education system which, unfortunately, is not doing very well. Maybe this is why the rest of the world refers to Africa as the ‘dark continent’. The AU should feel challenged. We arrive on our own and that is how we leave, Although it is generally thought that the youth hold the keys to the future, an intergenerational alliance could unlock more potential, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 17 is just a rerun of Covid season 1. Outside influences with foreign interests only roils the process. As for the issue of brain drain or seeing the grass as greener on the other side, I think you have just inspired me to write another article. It seems according to Jacqueline we must be a non-people, with a non-history and even deny those bilateral relations from which we come out exploited and bested by the West. African should take note of the old adage – Beware of strangers bearing gifts! Yes the Software came from Vodafone, but is MPESA the MPESA program. The report says, African countries have undergone two forms of governance liberation, yet remain stuck in the middle of a third one. Disputes like elections and territory can solved by firstly, the groups themselves or if not an umbrella group of African nations. The water can be extracted with the use of a well. This is the best comment from anyone I have seen on this issue. And if the street organisers are locked up, the whole street should demand their release. This is why you should pay attention to Africa right now. Professor They wear Nigerian clothes, listen to Nigerian music, eat Nigerian food etc. can’t we just understand african solutions for african problems to mean giving africa and its leadership a leading role in resolving there problems tailored according to the specific needs of africans rather than complicating the issue. So you can really see the gap between our leadership and our people. As already been mentioned, lack of knowledge is a recipe for failure and one of the major problems of Africa. Instead, focus on the problems these ‘blessings’ has brought upon us. Dare I say it but Africa could learn from the European Union where individual states fight for their best advantage within the union and it is, even under the latest treaty, very rare to get an European Union view agreed on by all members. http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-06-04-homosexuality-and-the-battle-for-africas-soul “African solutions to African problems”. Africans are quick and proud to commend their nations as unique, independent and autonomous yet such rhetoric automatically lumps Africans into a nebulous cluster of an even more nebulous concept. Napoleon wanted to destroy the sphinx and the pyramids and he could not as these were enormous structures. And if the solutions do exist, are we even past the point of being able to implement them ourselves given that we have allowed a complex web of aid, investors, consultants, advisors and many other vested interests to so permeate the system? African political leaders leveraging their respective philosophies, cultures, religions, etc is key as you highlight, and I believe would provide food for thought for Western countries in their own political efforts. It was heartwarming to see the non profit-making alliances that are already in place between African countries and their global “partners” for the benefit of African educators and learners. 0 0 2 minutes read. Equally in that vein, Colonialism is a self-inflected self-made condition and Europeans can enter into colonial relationships with Africans and come out lilly-white and unaffected. Mugabe is no longer applauded by a room full of African leaders because he is a good leader, he is applauded because he represents resistance against Western influence, he is the anti-colonialist messiah, and however disgusting and counterproductive his behavious may be, on some level they identify with it and admire it. @John Patson, as the East Africa Community further integrates, all the countries are indeed finding ways to best harmonize laws but also look out for their interests. Western foreign policies designed to plunder African resources implemented through the IMF and World Bank (try distinguishing between the two) in a complex network of funding together with anonymous Swiss bank accounts are the cause of many of Africa’s problems. It cannot be disputed that urbanisation (the growing cities and rural-urban migration) has a role to play. Rwanda is one of the best examples of a country that has done that. Proposed solutions to interconnectivity problems in Africa. While the pessimist and fearful see a dark and unpromising continent, smart entrepreneurs see the amazing business opportunities that lie beneath all of Africa’s problems. American Senegalese Hip Hop star “Akon” is one of the few entrepreneurs making a great effort in solving electricity problem in Africa. For example, if certain birds make their nests in branches near the water, you know that the next year will not have heavy rains. With some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Africa has become the newest destination for emerging markets investors. Kariuki I guess I’m “waiting for Godot”. Given though the lack of leadership in most African countries perhaps we can take it several steps lower — the old trot slogan, “Think global, act local.” Instead of and African solution to African problems we should have street solutions to African problems. Black leaders are allowed to get away with virtually anything because to criticise them for excesses or abuses is to judge them like a colonialist would. Is it all mankind by virtue of humans originating from Africa or someone who can generally be traced to the Negroid race? African solutions to Africa’s problems is the best way to go. @Jacqueline, Africans can come up with good solutions for their problems, however, they will need finance to for their solutions. Also, Brazil is not an eastern country but in South America. Let’s see how far an African solution to Muammar Gaddafi gets us. Len – your comment on Sandile Mamela made my day ;). Comment and analysis from across the continent. @Gavin … If alternative solutions mean extra-judicial assassiantions, wanton destruction of a country’s civil infrastructure, indiscriminate bombing of “enemies” in their sitting rooms and killing innocent sons and grandchildren with their grandfather as collateral, harassing foreign citizens with deadly drones, and killing men and women, denying “enemies” the right to a decent burial, then I am really proud to be part of the African Solution. It forces me to question what and who is African? And how fast. Gavin’s comment on “Mad Bob” is a spot on example of what I am talking about. Difficult to distinguish between genuine investment in Africa and the expropriation of land from the poor who need it to grow their food. The latter group do not seem to understand that their presence out of Africa betrays their lack of belief in Africa, and their lack of real pride in the place. The elites have understood these principles namely, the Darwin, Machiavelli, and Hegel. For now, I totally agree that we need solutions, and we need them now. Today thousands of Freelan, Financial management and bookkeeping is a challenge for most entrepreneurs and business owners. The European Union is doing the same why cant we be allowed to do as such? Did Mandela and the ANC think about whether SA black families will have “enough money” before mass action strikes or asking for economic sanctions? I will continue to respond in due time. Why is that so difficult to understand? How do you solve a problem like flooding? The message of the article lies in the last paragraph: There are no such things as African problems and African solutions. And that is more of what MPESA is, and not just the software. Disputes like elections and territory can solved by firstly, the groups themselves or if not an umbrella group of African nations. Brilliant as Dambisa Moyo may be, US political leaders are not deferring to her in figuring out what to do with the US economic system. Young people in Africa many of who are physically and mentally capable, cannot find the jobs they need to earn a decent income for their upkeep and basic survival. Home/ LET AFRICANS SOLVE THEIR OWN AFRICAN PROBLEMS. Contrary to their claims, it is alleged that African leaders do not solve problems using the “African perspective”. This argument has its merits but China was partly colonised by Japan yet the Chinese retain very strong indigenous cultural values in all aspects of life. Some … @Chris van der Merwe As a matter of fact, my mother attended the same and echoed your sentiment. Of these infectious diseases, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Diarrhoeal, and Measles make up more than 90 percent of over 10 million disease-related deaths that occur in Africa every year. that rape consumers on a daily basis? Take as reference the recent political developments in the Middle East and Africa. What I think Ms. Musiitwa is trying to say, is that African leaders should look for best practices all over the world and try to adapt and apply them in their own in environment. To end poverty in Africa, African governments must develop infrastructure and end corruption at all levels.Infrastructure because roads must be put in place, affordable electricity connected, water points distance reduced, schools built and chain links facilitated. First, it was the struggle for independence from the colonial rule then liberation from dictatorships that merged from independence. I look forward to reading your next piece! Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa runs Hoja Law Group, a boutique New York law firm that uses the law to bridge the African development gap through advising on deals that create wealth for Africa. It is the thinly veiled idea that Europeans should butt out of politics in this continent, and keep their mouths shut while the black leaders are talking. Obama is one of the ONLY world leaders with the courage to admonish African leaders from repeatedly going with their begging bowls to the IMF/World Bank – the genesis of African corruption! It is a sad truth of the modern world that the Western nations rule the roost and those that do not fall into their way of thinking, at least in principle, are left behind. Borrowing “enough money” from ex-colonial powers, who have a proven track record of abuse of indigenous civilizations, almost sounds like Africans are “masochistic”, doesn’t it? I believe they should be in the driver’s seat. Entrepreneurs and Investors with foresight and a long-term view will be positioned to capture the opportunities ahead. This entire debate is an exercise in shadow boxing around a bogus concept. Did Gandhi think about whether India will have “enough money” during his campaign to boycott British products to encourage local production basics like salt, cotton etc.? Africa and specificalluy South Africa needs many-many more people like Jacqueline, peopel who are not blinded by the slogans of African despots and no longer contaminated with anti-Western sentiments. Presently, Africa does not produce enough food to feed itself and has remained a net importer of food from every corner of the world. Colonisation is also blamed for the degradation of African culture and Africans’ subsequent adoption of a Western viewpoint. Agriculture, was actually a thing about 30 years ago, then suddenly nobody wanted to get their hands dirty and everyone wanted a white-collar job. The Tutu Fellows are practitioners spread across various social, political, economic, environmental and activist sectors throughout sub-Saharan Africa. And as long as we opt for ‘African solutions’ over reasonable, workable solutions that may have no Africa-link, we are slaves to an inferiority complex that we, as Africans, must overcome. Subsection Business. Unfortunately, this is exactly what we have seen, for Example the Prescription of so called Structural Adjustment Programmes for most 3rd world countries, with disasterous concequencies. I have a lot more faith in the next generation of leaders. One is forced to wonder whether such solutions are truly African. “There’s nothing we can do”. Technology in Africa is making huge advances, says Jonathan Rosenthal. All factors that are in increasingly short supply amongst the elites of Africa. South Africa during the period of sanctions had to make do with what South africa had, and hence we have companies like SASOL. Brasil Most of these diseases can be treated with the right drugs. One of the reasons why China is where China is today is precisely because the Chineese decided to find Chineese solutions for Chineese Problems. It is a solution for African countries. For example, Nigerian proverbs seem to always step to the plate when a concise explanation is needed. The Europeans shouldn’t sanction Mugabe, we will come up with an “African solution”. Many African nations have begun to implement restoration projects in order to reverse the effects of deforestation. 20110530. You see Europeans can have a European Union and articulate their problems from a European point of view and deal with matters of trade tariffs, international economics and law as Europeans without fear of contradiction. I was raised in cities. The Western Cyclop has long lost the plot, and like its namesake in Homer’s writings, its tunnel vision is blight to all decency, civilised norms and values. The majority of Nigerians aren’t so great when it comes to sa, Everyone can make money on Fiverr if they have one or two digital skills. Apart from merging employers and potential employees with critical job information services (M-Kazi in Kenya and Jobberman.com in Nigeria are playing a greater role), there is also another angle to the unemployment problem in Africa – Unemployability. There are many factors that prohibit the functionality of “African solutions to African problems”. One of the strangest new developments in recent years are the spate of NGO funding from mega churches, fighting their ideological battles on the African continent by foisting their fundamentalist theology onto African culture. We need leaders who will stand up against the One-formula fits all arrogance, a system engineered by the west and has become cancer to many African governments. I would say that there definitely ARE African problems: poverty and pervasive corruption are two obvious examples. If Africa is stable, it will be able to benefit from its resources, leaving the west destitute. Those with money send their children abroad; it is no wonder little money is invested in local education systems. 1. ASAP responded fast with support for vulnerable communities in preparation for covid-19 – sanitizer, disinfectant, soap and information for #lockdown2020. @SptiK, from north America all the way down these countries were European colonies at one time, this includes the US and Canada. Can race problems be solved/ No, but we can all learn to live together in harmony like King said during the Los Angeles riot. Developed by Vodafone and a small company in Cambridge, UK. ‘African solutions to African problems’ is a phrase used by the well-heeled, the BEE advantaged, the political arivees, the tyrants. I would have loved to understand Francisco de Alencar’s comment; anyone willing to translate it for the Portuguese-challenged? “I am an African, not because I was born in Africa but because Africa is born in me.”. This piece takes me back to President Kagame and Ian’s twitter debate! 2:38. Covid-19 Response. What happens when good leaders take bold steps to implement what works for their own countries? This year, South Africa-based telco, MTN, released an android-based smartphone for 50 dollars, possibly the cheapest on the market. As Biko emphasised, when we unshackle our minds, then we will truly be free. This is especially ironic coming from the ANC, whose members in exile traveled far and wide calling for assistance from Western powers to defeat apartheid. Unfortunately. A Relacão Éxistente é uma Relacão de Poder Economico, Militar e Político. These projects have been shown to improve the environment in many ways and the livelihood of the people living near them. Translation of @Franciso de Alencar’s comment(I used Google translate): Today, we live in a world where relations among peoples and nations rely more and more decisions taken in international contexts. Clearly, leading politically in this world is highly nuanced. Most businesses on earth exist to solve problems; and Africa is full of problems. Why is understanding the notion of African solutions important? I was not raised in an extended family. Africans leaders are putting their money overseas but, there is very little money used in Africa to finance their ideas. If one look at the western world, it was the people with money that finance the ideas of people in the west and made fortunes. What Africa has not learnt is that accepting aid from elsewhere leaves us vulnerable to being forced to accept the opinions from those other countries. African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC). Yes I know, but I am an optimist…, For as long as there are people called Africans, then there are African Problems. Modernisation is corroding African culture. African Solutions to African Problems. Light in the tunnel Technology cannot solve all of Africa’s problems, but it can help with many. Shut your mouth and focus on fixing the problems around you. Many of the people looking for jobs on our continent do not have the required education, training, skills and experience that make them desirable for employment. IDEAL E UTOPIA Burden entrepreneurs in Africa can also play a huge role by innovating health solutions that could better make healthcare in Africa more accessible and affordable. We can no longer ignore race problems in America as we have witnessed the explosion of the past few months in Florida and Tulsa, Oklahoma, etc. Africa has more than 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, a conducive climate for agriculture, and an overwhelmingly young population (more than 60% of the African population is under 25 years old), but millions of people still go hungry every day. Section BBC News. I have met many, many of the latter, and, sadly, very few of the former. As you rightly say, there is no one size fit all solution, which then means that not even the IMF/Worldbank development modles can be blindly prescribed for Africa’s problems. Trevor 'Nightingale' Manuel and his colourful coterie of battle-hardened soldiers recently emerged from their year-long bosberaad at the National Planning Commission (NPC) with insights into the key challenges facing South Africa. @all, thank you so much for the comments and continued debate. Africans should stop blaming their governments about their problems. Covid-19 Response. African solutions simply means solution that originate from fellow Africans. Up Next, Sea foam showers Irish village. The opinions shared by the Archbishop Tutu Fellows are not necessarily those of the African Leadership Institute or of our patron, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.