Africa has always been seen by most as this write off case - aids, disease, famine, poverty, civil war, dictators and heat! Ask a 100 managers in Europe or even low income Asian/latin america markets and they will likely balk at accepting a job there. Was discussing this with a friend who's getting transferred there pretty soon.
Coincidentally read the latest time magazine which has a cover story on Africa's oil and how it's transforming the continent in a way faster than most imagined. It's the hidden gem that Shell & others have found that could radically reduce poverty in the continent. The continent has oil and not just any oil - cheap oil (due to the landscape & how it's easier to take out without too much capital equipment; also lower freight costs to the US, largest global consumer) and good quality oil (better than most parts of the world). Primarily in the west africa (nigeria, ghana, ivory coast) area. Already, the area is brimming with chinese, western investment and our company's local office is apparently the fastest growing geography among all that we have (80 on ground operations)!
I see this glimmer of hope there - I see less people having funerals for their infants, I see less women crying for losing their family, I see people moving beyond survival to thriving (having dreams/hopes/aspirations/hobbies) and I see the world economy exploding because of the indigenous demand of African consumers.
I see hope and I am happy for the African people! A smile that will last on little mobutu vs. the natural smiles they anyway have despite the adversity.
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Good to see optimism about Africa. Having spent 3 months there, I really feel for the people and presonally would like to see change, but am not sure how soon it will happen.
Oil for long has been abundant in Africa (specifically Nigeria and other Western African countries), but the issue has always been domestic turbulence due to numerous issues like politics, crime, inequality etc. which make oil exploration difficult. In some parts, foreign oil exploration sites are bombed because they are perceived as foreigners partering with politicians to take the local wealth away. Most of North Nigeria (Port Harcourt) is almost inaccessable.
In my understanding although "glimmers of hope" have kept surfacing in Africa, its normally dismissed especially by Whites, who have this cynical attitude that nothing will ever work because TIA - This is Africa.
Having said all this, I hope this time round, things do change in a way that impacts the lives of the common people.
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