African Bookeristas on Africa

James Shikwati: "Africa Must Adapt Knowledge-Driven Economy"

The libertarian head of the Inter-Region Economic Network asserts that the human mind is the ultimate capital: "It is a tragedy that Africa, in spite of its vast geological and human resources, still wallows in poverty with close to 75% of its population living on less than $1 a day. The African leadership and policy makers have over the years focused on natural resources instead of the African people. What passes for education in Africa is nothing but a conveyor belt system that churns out labor as opposed to critical thinkers. We must urgently probe political and economic systems that have alienated Africans from their own wealth and relegated them into spectators who watch on the sidelines as huge trucks ship out tree logs and small jet planes ship out minerals and ship back beer, pornographic magazines, cigarettes and guns. Switzerland produces the finest chocolate yet she has no [c]ocoa plantations; Japan, an island country is a major player in the global economy but she has no geological resources to boast of. Knowledge driven economies focus on creating a critical mass of innovative citizens as opposed to those who simply wait for manuals in order to operate. Knowledge is more than simply learning how to read and speak English and French; it entails utilizing logic (reason) to interact with one’s environment (in this case geological resources) for purposes of improving one’s living standards."

He continues his commentary: "We ought not to be hoodwinked by Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that focus on mere enrolment ratios but ignores the content of school curricula. The [f]ocus on oil, diamonds, coltan, huge tracts of agricultural land among other resources simply turn our political leaders into corrupt salesmen. The focus ought to be on African people and how to impart relevant knowledge that can enable them transform such resources into wealth. Africans’ ultimate capital is the human mind!"

The African Executive: "Multi-Polar World Good For Africa"

The libertarian website, which is based in Kenya, pens an editorial: "A multi-polar world is just but a lesser evil unless Africa’s leadership and people seize the current competing interests to position the continent as a major player in the global economy. Recall, it was a multi-national world that scrambled for Africa. Therefore, an increase in global spheres of influence does not leave Africa any safer! Africa is not only under-represented in global decision making, but it also operates on the terms of developed nations. The continent is trapped in a skewed global market system that only relegates it to produce raw materials for export but forbids it to engage in value added activity. Now that we know it, and can organize and participate in Third World Country Summits, do we need further prodding? Developed countries underwent revolutions that positively changed their economy. The agricultural revolution saw the use of inputs and supplies to boost production. The industrial revolution saw inventions of new machinery that improved efficiency and replaced manual labor. The information revolution has created a digital economy where online transactions such as electronic learning, tele-medicine, e-businesses and virtual offices (among others) are all possible. Africa need not re-invent the wheel as results of the previous revolutions are already available to it."

More commentary from The African Executive: "Due to long-term neglect of the agricultural sector, Africa spends $19 billion a year to import food. Corruption alone costs Africa over $148 billion annually. The informal sector, which transacts most business, is neglected. The continent easily trades with foreign nations but imposes barriers on its internal market. Africa should realize that the key to its development rests within itself - the African people. Priority must be in investing in people so that they can in turn transform Africa's resources into wealth."