AFRICA
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1 African Business and the World -Trade and Growth Concepts
2 The Future -Development barriers containing Logistics in Africa
3 Trade Origins -The Routes of Trade
4 The African Mentality
5 Education = Potential
6 The Failure of Aid to Africa -corruption and dependency
7 Doing Business in Africa containing African Infrastructure
8 Technology and Computing in Africa
9 Health Industry in Africa
10 FDI including The China Phenomenon
11 Agriculture -history and innovations
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Africa data and statistics |
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Africapedia Nationmaster |
Indexmundi Statemaster (general searches) |
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Countries data |
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http://www.country-data.com (original data, 1990s) |
http://countrystudies.us/ (data compiled between 1986-98 for US government) |
AFRICAN NEWS AND HEADLINES
7th May 2011
'China's Investments In Africa Bring Multiple Benefits' -World Economic Forum on Africa
SEE CHINA SECTION BELOW
17th August 2011
Nigeria enters the space race with 2 satellites to monitor climate, rainfall and crops; combatting poverty with new technology, and recognising engineering skills (BBC)
Thanks to Magnus Taylor at RAS.
AUGUST 2011
John Campbell (Council on Foreign Relations, US):
Juba and Khartoum – No Velvet Divorce http://tinyurl.com/6b8k84o - for more on Sudan visit Making Sense of Sudan
Peter Gill (Author of Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia Since Live Aid): Food Crisis in the Horn: International Response Driven By Image of Africa http://tinyurl.com/63uznr6
MAY 2011
RAS headlines- At the World Economic Forum -Richard Dowden
Why we went to Africa -Stephen Jennings, Renaissance Capital
See RAS on corruption -Transparency section, Development page
See more African features from the RAS -www.africanarguments.org
SEE ANALYSIS ARTICLES AND OPINIONS INCLUDING
-Libya;
-Ivory Coast;
-Zimbabwe;
-Nigeria
North-South Magazine
(REGISTER TO RECEIVE FREE ONLINE MAGAZINE)
FULL MAGAZINE IN LINK WITH E-READER AND ARCHIVES
African Business Magazine
Business Daily Africa
STANDARD BANK, SOUTH AFRICA VOTED AFRICA'S TOP BANK
Standard Bank recognises Chinese customers in ATM deal
Bank recognises infrastructure potential in Asian market
US$3bn Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, South Africa
-overview here
Recent deals -bonds, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), brewery,
shopping mall, power plant
 Standard Bank analyses 2009 results (above, Jacko Maree, CEO) |
 27th August 2010 Michael Keenan, Standard Bank, comments on exchange/interest rates (ABN Digital) |
See ChinaAfricaNews for latest news/contracts/updates on China in Africa
SEE MAJOR OVERVIEW OF CHINA-AFRICA RELATIONSHIP BELOW
 China
In Africa -The Real Story Comprehensive blog by American International Development professor Deborah Brautigam See 'The Dragon's Gift -The Real Story Of China In Africa' (Oxford University Press) |
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Tata Consultancy Services helps with ICT decisions in Africa and worldwide, with investment advice -banking, energy, high-tech, manufacturing, telecoms |
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TradeInvest supplies trade leads, news and tenders |
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(right)
Rwanda embassy, UK offers
trade and investment advice to realise its potential -strategic location,
stability, welcoming FDISEE RWANDA CASE STUDY ON NEW
DEVELOPMENT PAGE
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Namibia High Commission, London -trade, investment, news  |
Namibia
headlines on AllAfrica.com  |
SEE FDI SECTION
BELOW FOR
CHINA'S
ACTIVITIES IN
AFRICA SEE ASIA SECTION ON BUSINESS PAGE |
AFRICAN BUSINESS HEADLINES
ISOCARP (International Society Of City And Regional Planners) Conference, Nairobi, Kenya 19th-23rd September 2010
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(above) ISOCARP -planning for the future, making infrastructure work better
SEE PRESS RELEASE (PDF ON THIS SITE)
| -Addressing urbanisation challenges -The role of correct governance -The importance of spatial planning -Planning bureaucracy and best practice methodologies -Environmental sustainability |
 PRESIDENT'S CLOSING ADDRESS (WORD DOCUMENT ON THIS SITE) |
Conference co-hosts Architectural Association of Kenya
(AAK) (right, secretary Irene Keino)
See Irene's contributions also with:
-Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission
(Transparency section, Development page);
-environmental development
(Eco Plan Management, Development page)
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(right, top, l.-r.) Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga meets with ISOCARP 2010 officials including President Ismail Mejia; President Mejia enjoys the company of AAK Executive Officer Jacob Mwangi (right, bottom, l.-r.) some of the 800 delegates at the opening ceremony, UN Gigiri complex; delegates at one of the numerous workshops; attendees came from 50 countries |
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For more information-
October 2010
Chinese Make the Most of Angola's Opportunities
-a new beginning for thousands of young entrepreneurs (BBC)
Also see Development page on this site
September 2010
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BRANDING AFRICA -16/9/10 Shaping Africa's destiny, looking at resources, planning for projects and policies. SEE SITE LINK WITH VIDEO (right) |
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| Featured speakers included- Dambisa Moyo Simon Anholt Anver Versi Trevor Ncube Mathias Akiota Lolu Akinwunmi Miller Matola Mary Kimonye Jacob Nkate |
 See AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS (above) for more headlines |
THE AFRICAN CHALLENGERS
Boston Consulting Group points out the 'African Lions', showing vitality and potential equalling the BRIC nations
(PDF download on site)
AFRICA ON THE MOVE
McKinsey report (PDF download on site) talks about the new $1.6 trillion African economy -global links, FDI, the growing power of the African consumer
11th August 2010
"Kenya wants to draw lessons from China which has limited arable land yet is able to feed her 1.3 billion inhabitants"
Kenyan vice-president on the need to modernise agriculture through
skills and added value with Chinese partners
See Agriculture section on this page
China in Africa on this page
July 2010
$35 COMPUTER (INDIA) -SEE CNN VIDEO AND SITE
UPDATE (27th September 2010) -Android tablet set for Jan. 2011
July 2010
Using computers to teach children with no teachers
(Sugata Mitra profile and vision)(BBC)
SEE ICT SECTION BELOW
29th July 2010
AFRICA -THE LAST ECONOMIC FRONTIER
(Zimbabwe Independent)
May 2010
AFRICA MAKES ITSELF USEFUL TO THE WORLD
-Chatham House, London investment forum, featuring Renaissance Capital, specialising in African investment projects
See Business section for more links
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Analysis of Africa's business potential can be reduced to certain concepts: |
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Trade SEE 'BUSINESS IN AFRICA' SECTION BELOW
SEE RESOURCES SECTION BELOW -ALSO AGRICULTURE AND MINING SECTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT PAGE
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The African Mentality SEE AFRICAN MENTALITY SECTION BELOW
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ISSUES FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT |
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Agriculture SEE SECTION ON THIS PAGE See Development page analysis (right) African agriculture has historically been backward in terms of its productivity, but Western methods are now making a difference -once the Africans themselves accept this |
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Technology SEE ICT SECTION BELOW Also Health section below (right, l.-r.) Technology, computing, ICT -however you call it, Information Technology is making a difference in the continent, whether for education (One Laptop Per Child), vital health services being networked (Ethiopia) or general business connections |
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The Rise of China SEE CHINA IN AFRICA IN FDI SECTION (right, l.-r.) Chinese trade with Africa is currently over $US 100bn a year. The Chinese excel at focussing on skilled graduates and international trade especially in high-volume manufacturing |
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Logistics SEE AFRICAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTION BELOW SEE LOGISTICS OVERVIEW ON NEW DEVELOPMENT PAGE (right) African logistics have historically been inefficient and basic. This is changing with the perceived benefits of linking, especially with foreign markets (below) Current conditions mean that shipping in sub-Saharan Africa is 50% more costly than elsewhere -a major barrier to development  |
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SEE CONCISE PDF OVERVIEW OF AFRICAN INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES ON THIS SITE (from AFRICA INFRASTRUCTURE COUNTRY DIAGNOSTIC)
Summary of logistics issues for SSA (PDF) Logistics, infrastructure and corruption in Africa |
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Resources In Africa SEE BUSINESS IN AFRICA SECTION BELOW FOR SECTORS AND LINKS The Battle For Resources -The First Stage In Linking With Markets Natural resources can initially CAUSE poverty with corruption and infighting; -this simply exposes how the processing of these needs to be structured to improve peoples in all areas of a society, and the inevitable societal changes (including in behaviour) that result from empowerment through linking with external markets -eg DRC -Fiefdom under Kabila? (Word document, Feb. 2010) -Map of DRC mineral resources -eg Botswana -eg Angola -performance is impressive; but corruption and violence are major issues SEE RESOURCES ANALYSIS ON DEVELOPMENT PAGE AFRICA MINING RESOURCES OVERVIEW |
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Foreign Direct Investment SEE FDI SECTION BELOW INCLUDING CHINA IN AFRICA (right) Total Foreign Direct Investment has skyrocketed in the last generation due to much more efficient supply chains, and the recognition by emerging nations that their native resources can attract funds for mutual benefit |
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Transparency/corruption/mentality SEE CORRUPTION SECTION BELOW (Africa), TRANSPARENCY SECTION ON DEVELOPMENT PAGE (general) (right) Global corruption examples as listed on Development page. SSA features heavily due to institutional inefficiency, lack of business incentives, bureaucracy, bad logistics and violence |
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2
THE FUTURE |
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DEVELOPMENT VISIONS |
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ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR DEVELOPMENT The 'blame game' has been played on West -but Africa was ALWAYS enslaved -by Africans and Arabs -and isolated from trade and communication with the rest of the world Historical mismanagement and corruption Lack of development vision |
Acceptance of investment and business are historically difficult as the original perception is of an invasion. This is changing once mutual advantages are realised (PDF) History and future of African trade Africa Becoming the new Asia -DOMESTIC DEMAND CREATES NEW MARKETS AND CHANGES TASTES AND BEHAVIOUR TO BE A PART OF THE NEW WORLD. |
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The reach of the
British Empire (article) (see
Business page section) was a vision of domination and national assertion
over foreign territories, but also the establishment of trading systems and
scientific and medical breakthroughs that changed the world for ever. SEE DEVELOPMENT PAGE FOR TEXTILES INDUSTRY EXAMPLE OF INNOVATION AND EXPORT EXPERTISE GROWING AN INDUSTRY
Trade routes empower innovation  |
African trade routes depended on, and were stimulated by, contact with the Arab
lands. Arabs were the original enslavers, not Europeans -Arab industry and basic goods were the incentive for trade by the Africans, eg Mali, Ghana  Alienation from the West showed itself in a combination of curiosity and exposure to trade, providing the impetus for the introduction of technology and developed goods to sub-Saharan Africa (as in Ghana) The chief incentive for eg the Mali empire to thrive with literature and astronomy came from trade with Arab tribes and kingdoms.
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No race is spoken of more than Africans in
reference to the link between behaviour and
poverty. Observations readily indicate that
adaptation is essential to change for the sake
of development, but Africans on historical
evidence both lack these qualities and the drive
necessary to create new futures for their
peoples. WHEN WILL THE ADDRESSING OF THE
AFRICAN CONDITION START AND THE BLAME GAME RE
THE WEST STOP? |
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See 'Black African Behaviour' Headlines Below April 2011 Camara.ie, computer donation charity (see IT section below), describes the African mentality -happy, simple-minded, inefficient and disincentivised to improve or progress April 2011 On the Trail of Uganda's Pygmies -happy, simple, indulgent; and useless |
 March
2011Tanzania -obsessive belief in spiritual healing leads to huge crowds demanding miracle cures (BBC) February 2011 (right) Kenya -The 'nigger' mentality in full flow -rebel MP Gidion Mbuvi refuses to leave his 'bling' behind in the Nairobi Parliament (BBC) |
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1
AFRICAN INTEGRATION IN THE MODERN WORLD
Common perceptions of Africans/Negroes Africans have historically not been a part of the corporate world. They are victims of alienation and strife, apparently unempowered, yet sit on oceans of oil and mountains of coal, gold and diamonds, waiting to be extracted and sold. If Africa were unliveable, with this ignorance, they would be dead- -so why are they still alive, wanting to remain in their homelands, and permanently portraying themselves as victims? They work hard, but not enough to live beyond their means. They suffer, but not enough to struggle so as to prevent future suffering. They fight for rights -but not enough to create systems that will inherently self-correct and inspire future generations regarding behaviour and vision for their people. The same nationalists who fight for 'their' people are the same ones who will be corrupted to deceive them in government or business. AFRICANS AND LIFESTYLE REACTION TO STRIFE (war, famine) IS A TEST OF THE INHERENT ABILITY TO SELF-SURVIVE AND SELF-REGENERATE. -Proof of the right attitude would show in the added value to native resources -ie the awareness of these combined with the need to sell them, eg to foreign markets. -An external market would then be the incentive for this 'supply chain' to be completed -the need to know of one's resources, then the legitimate processing of these to satisfy the customer's particular needs. This has not been historically the case with African business -it has only been about the acquisition of these resources whilst ignoring the one human aspect that can add value -education and skills. -THEREFORE VALUE ADDED = REACTION TO OPPORTUNITIES. Africans socialise for its own sake -it is not value added due to any purpose supplied by meetings. Family values take priority and even certain language options relating to status and achievement emphasise this -communal living and stability, and NOT economic mechanisms, are the key to quality of life. Historical attitudes towards the West have always implied theft and occupation of resources and acquired labour, but take no account of value added during the productive process -value that can only be applied through training and vision. With blacks, historically, there has been no attitude to counter this of encouraging native production so as to be self-reliant. Western behaviour involves no guilt, as even if whites were given the system without an earned legacy, whites still have to live by it. -Westerners created their system through suffering, and contribute as mutual citizens. Black behaviour emphasises that lack of respect makes them worse instead of reacting by being determined to progress outside of the bias exhibited against them. The ongoing superiority of the Western economic mechanism is due to a constant search for 'the truth' -curiosity combined with a desperation to understand, and a vision to prevent suffering for future generations. Blacks learn only because they assume qualities from original reaction to strife -the suffering of war (largely self-caused) had goaded them into a realisation that PROGRESS IS A GOOD THING. |
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QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE AFRICAN LIFESTYLE 29th November 2009 '86% of Kenyans happy, do not want to leave their country' -blog report analyses why corruption and poverty can coexist with laid-back serenity and relaxed attitude SEE SUPERIOR OVERVIEW OF 'THE HAPPINESS INDEX' (PDF ON THIS SITE) explaining quality of life focussing on,
AFRICAN HAPPINESS Global survey of happiness and quality of life -related to a combination of adequate access to resources with the perceived potential of economic empowerment Quality of life index 2006 AFRICANS AND INDUSTRIALISATION Practical lessons for Africa from East Asia in industrial and trade policies (Google book section) -productivity grew due to a focus on agricultural techniques which enabled a move to manufacturing The key to productivity improvement (even beating the Asians at their own game) -focus on quality, factory sizes to maximise efficiency (shoe industry in Ethiopia) EFFICIENCY IS DEFINITIVELY IMPROVED THROUGH EXPOSURE TO EXPORT MARKETS -A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE AND VISION (PDF) (see table, p.7 on comparisons with exports for Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, Zimbabwe) 'Cambridge History of Africa 1905-40' (Google book) -European settlements DIRECTLY helped development due to settlement and earnings natively re-spent, p.121 -Incentive to produce was diminished due to originally limited markets -AND an acceptance that 'subsistence' living was not painful, p.123 -Exposure to external trade raised living standards through raising aspirations to emulate colonial settlers, p.671 -British Empire (see section on this site) created the Ugandan coffee industry through research and investment helping native Africans, p.683 Labour productivity overall reduces due to native industries only producing for domestic markets -African blacks paid less AND ALSO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACT AS CONSUMERS FOR NATIVE PRODUCTS (PDF)(p.14-16) Facebook -influence overall of the network and its linking of Africans SEE IT SECTION ON THIS PAGE PRODUCTIVITY SEEN AS THE KEY TO GROWTH IN AFRICA (UN report, 2007) African factories -failure to teach relevant skills is at the forefront of low productivity Productivity is historically low due to inefficiency, corruption, bad logistics, lack of government interest and action towards business priorities (PowerPoint presentation on this site) Black leadership and corporate skills are a huge challenge in South Africa (2002 article) Africans lack basic entrepreneurial skills (SA) -small businesses, not corporate restructuring are the key to growth White farms' productivity shows in production data -skills and the need to satisfy external markets, ie, 'added value' Chinese productivity versus Africans' attitude |
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History And Natural Abilities (above) From Colonial Life in Virginia -Virginia, USA slaves led wretched lives but let go during recreation, usually on a Sunday; their random behaviour and lack of discipline was coupled with great joy at these times
Kenya, including Eldoret -a 'live and let live' attitude; happy, smiling, simple, disorganised, fatalistic ;election violence; reactions to Obama's US victory -American blog by US volunteer in Kenya, 2008 |
BLACK AFRICAN BEHAVIOUR January 2011 Mental health failing in Africa -bad management, stigma to blame -Ghana report (BBC)(with forum posts) August 2010 'Sexual violence used as a weapon' -DRC rapes by Rwandan rebel soldiers show underlying attitudes contradict Africa's progress, potential April 2010 'The curse of twins' -Madagascar violence used shows inbred superstitions; alienation and ignorance (France 24 video) 17th August 2010 Kenyan accused of trafficking Tanzanian albino (BBC) January 2009 Sporting tech blogger DCRainmaker in Kenya -locals permanently happy, simple, alienated 'Black Africans -Their Own Worst Disaster' Race and continuing controversy over depictions of Africans 'African Time Syndrome' -casual, unstressed, irresponsible, unmotivated Alienation and simple attitudes are the traditional core of African life; tribal customs and traditional ways are the subjective norm -murder of albinos (Burundi, May 2010) -indoctrination of child soldiers by murdering thugs 'Lord's Resistance Army' (Uganda) (by WWW.AYMU.ORG, former Aid into Africa partner) -also story in 'The National' (UAE) -abduction, abuse of child soldiers and abuse of girls as sex slaves -'soldiers impervious to bullets' (2008 trial for former leader Charles Taylor) (SEE TRANSPARENCY SECTION ON FRONT PAGE) Female Genital Mutilation is practiced and reviled but still continues 'Breast Ironing' (Cameroon, 2006) DRC is 'rape capital' (France 24) INTELLIGENCE Intelligence matters in the world more than ever, exposing the (traditional) black view of achievement as being due to oppression, repression and denial of opportunities -'mind is like a muscle' Cognitive skills are the key to true knowledge and ability-comparison with Latin America (PDF) Link between race and IQ -genes, environment, behaviour, family values, poverty, conflict (PDF) Africans are born superior -in athletics... SEE ATHLETICS AND RUNNING ATTITUDES SECTION BELOW ...and historically had no incentive to learn or inquire outside their communities (short book extract) 'Handbook of Intelligence' (Google book) -African view of intelligence, p.6 -black mothers and children's IQ, p.187-189 |
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Attitude
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SIMPLE ATTITUDES HELP SIMPLE AFRICANS STAY
SIMPLE Africans want their land, but see foreigners as 'invaders' -change is a bad thing, thinking in terms of concepts is even treacherous as betrays traditional values (Facebook discussion) Kenyan riots show desperation in killing for cows and pasture- Africans protect native resources as opposed to adding value to them (December 2009, MSNBC) Africans frustrated by the ruthless efficiency shown by Chinese workers -it's not just money, it's the attitude BEHAVIOUR 'Are Africans humourous'? Yes, but they don't want to admit it -it smothers pain and hardship, showing an aversion to commitment to long-term planning via delayed gratification; see commentary from Africans offended by the suggestion, often resident in eg US or UK (BBC forum) Tanzanians seem happy in a market scene -lifestyle, not necessarily money, is a priority Sexual Morality/Ignorance Mail and Guardian (SA) UN Humanitarian Affairs Office report -traditional stubbornness and rejection of medical facts help spread AIDS COMPETENCE African development potential via leadership qualities (PDF) AID AND CORRUPTION/TRANSPARENCY See Aid/Corruption section on this site Aid proven not to work -'legitimate development is the new black' Irish computer charity Camara realises that 'Africanisms', not logic, dictate business (blog, 2009) Camara experience continued -deals with inefficiency, corruption when trying to help others in SSA (blog, 2010) See Donation Project page for personal experiences with computer donation project to help African runners, and links AFRICAN RUNNING AND SPORT See Donation Project page for details of the frustration experienced when trying to help African runners with donated computers Africans are superior runners -but give the impression that is all they appear to be and sell themselves as. Other nations are much more productive, but worse athletes, despite the same incentives and lifestyle to succeed -eg China, Mexico. -Africans show they are exploiting superior genes, and exhibit the same traits and lifestyle shown to be optimum for athletic performance. Blacks' focus on sports creates its own stereotypes, emphasising racist beliefs due to dependence by blacks on global sporting audiences (American view) Black athletic dominance (Amazon book commentary) Running at Lornah Kiplagat's camp in the Rift Valley -simple attitudes (not even keeping training logs) and a communal spirit make for better runners (Google book) Happy African runners -simple and not focussed on anything else Kenyans destined to run Simple living makes African (Kenyan) runners happy, creates teamwork and encourages friendly competition, all necessary components to athletic advancement -blog from elite Canadian female runner Simple lifestyle combined with few distractions National Centre for Biotechnology Information (US) study (PDF) Genetics of African athletes are combined with a (traditionally) simple lifestyle, the enjoyment of competition, lack of stress, and fierce ambition centred only on athletics and not education -because studying by its very nature would destroy the communal feelings that bind Africans. The morality of progress asserts itself, but is not evident here -only the hypocrisy of a genetic superiority in a non-productive ability which can only assert itself through foreign audiences in foreign events, financed by foreign money. ATTITUDES TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY African abilities and attitudes towards computers (Google book) The original assessment of African attitudes- no affinity towards technology |
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| Economic Usefulness |
Kenyans find engineering jobs 'too hard' (2007) 'Capitalist Nigger' (2007) details low African work ethic/status for lack of wealth and income Work ethic/lack of native identification to blame for lack of productivity growth in South Africa (Wayne Visser book summary, 2005 (PDF)) Catholic v. Protestant work ethic (with links and comments) Work ethic in St Lucia a result of low morale due to slave legacy of African descendants -but has nothing to do with the modern world Chinese incursion in Africa is good overall, but lack of African expertise can mean that projects are wasted |
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Africa needs and wants education (UN speech) (Google document) SE Asia comparison -reforms education system in order to progress Kenya universities vary in educational standards (Daily Nation commentary) Some hypocrisy in the system Southafrica.info education notes Racial issues still bedevil South African universities; Indians and 'coloureds' are much more prominent in terms of academic advancement SA recognises educational standards -but still needs China Engineering students vary re reasons for inclusion in the industry -whites like the challenge, blacks want status (PDF) |
History Changes Views 1 Tanzania in the post-colonial period -quote by former leader Nyerere, 1974 (Google book) -nationalistic and given to protecting native values and systems History Changes Views 2 Tanzania recognises (present day)(official site)- -the value of teaching and recognising English, -the value of learning IT, -the inherent value offered by making its citizens productive |
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| Education changes attitudes Pre-independence study on traditional Rhodesian children's views of ethics, violence and marriage -the higher the level of education, the less likely the chance of obeying a law merely because it is given; -THEREFORE THE MORE THE LOGIC OF A SITUATION WILL BE ANALYSED AND THE CHANCES OF 'THE RIGHT ANSWER' BEING SOUGHT AND ENVISIONED (PDF) Africa confronts issues relating to lack of business acumen and dialogue with the incentive of linking to and benefitting from the world's ICT resources -tele-medicine, satellite, mobile communications and computers (UN report, 2003) Also see African Mentality section above |
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| (below) Corruption levels in all of Africa have historically been high due to economic desperation and a failure to link with the world's supply chain involving global production and contractual obligations |
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February 2011-Jameson Dublin International Film Festival entry 'Congo -An Irish Affair' (Akajava Films) lifts the lid on endemic corruption and self-destruction in 1960s DRC by colonial forces and hostile factions |
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Corruption Index courtesy of Transparency.org (2009) Corruption overview Country comparison -Russia FDI down substantially due to corruption
Corruption causes poverty and is not just the effect of it 2008 South Africa anti-migrant riots caused by competition for status and jobs, not necessarily poverty Corruption wrecks African lives here and here (BBC)... ...as confirmed by former AU head Olusegun Obasanjo Africans have historically been hostile towards the West after previous colonial oppression, but new leaders recognise the need for partnerships and transparent business (summary and brief overview) Reaction to aid/corruption Foreign Direct Investment directly related to instability, corruption AID IS A WASTE, ENCOURAGES CORRUPTION AND IS SELF-DEFEATING... ...and subsidises dependence on the West, itself powered by huge agricultural subsidies (Independent, UK) DEVELOPMENT CRISES IN AFRICA 'Project Red' criticised for ineffectiveness Mismanagement a huge factor in post-colonial history Corruption and aid to Kenya Aid to Africa has been a historical failure -comments and links 'Dead Aid' -Dambisa Moyo (see right) Corruption (through aid) destroys Africa, hurts legitimate business -One.org Corruption in Kenyan government -brief history Corruption in Nigeria -the oil industry THIRD WORLD DEVELOPMENT Indonesia -major manufacturing combined with government vision improves economy -corruption in education DIRECTLY slows development -even more than lack of IT India -despite corruption and trade fluctuations government establishes major vision for IT with the right policies Argentina -even weak corrupt countries with huge debts can recover through economic strength based on export-led markets |
 Gabon riots after disputed election, 2009  They've had enough -warning sign for a local district in NE Kenya Road bribes in West Africa (PDF on this site) SEE COMPUTER DONATION PROJECT PAGE FOR MORE EXAMPLES OF WASTED AID SEE CORRUPTION SECTION ON DEVELOPMENT PAGE
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7 Business in Africa
SEE FDI SECTION BELOW FOR CHINA IN AFRICA |
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BUSINESS CONSULTANCIES/AGENCIES SPECIALISING IN AFRICA The Whitaker Group ConsultancyAfrica Business Council for Africa Eastern Africa Association AFRICA INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES -THE AFRICA GROUP |
 Sinogate
Investment Consultancy specialising in China/Africa business projects |
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| Doing business in Africa is very challenging... | ...but linking with the rest of the world (despite previous alienation from the West) is clearly paying dividends. | ||||||
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The key factors for consistent internal growth are (a) recognition of natural resources, (b) processing natively to its maximum extent. ADDED VALUE IS THE ONLY WAY TO COMPETE, AND PROFIT, IN THE MODERN WORLD. SEE DEVELOPMENT PAGE FOR ANALYSIS |
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 Shipping and trucking are far more expensive in SSA due to poor infrastructure and lack of standardisation Logistics overview (Business page) |
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Africans and Business NEPAD framework (PDF) Economic Policies and Investment Risk in Africa (US Treasury, US-Africa Business summit 2003)(Word document on this site) Bureaucracy in Africa directly affects investment -summary (PDF) Africa business forum Summary of South Africa/EU business (2006) Summary of African growth (plus links) Corporate Council on Africa (US) How ordinary Africans make a difference in their own lands (World Bank) African trade portal Kenyan suburb of Eastleigh transformed, not necessarily for the better, by business development (2008) Investment in Cameroon hampered by corruption Addressing Corruption is key to Good Business (Economist magazine) Bureaucracy, inefficiency, corruption, logistics are the main barriers to business in Africa SEE CORRUPTION SECTION ON THIS PAGE, ALSO HOME PAGE SECTION 'Africans lazy' -are Indians better in Africa because they are desperate and prepared to start from nothing? Africans' work ethic differs from West -an impediment? Africans alienated from West by their own values? SEE AFRICAN MENTALITY SECTION ON THIS PAGE
African Infrastructure AFRICAN INFRASTRUCTURAL FAILINGS DIRECTLY AFFECT PRODUCTIVITY African Loft links and articles -complete site with forum (for members) Infrastructure Consortium for Africa Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Overview of African infrastructure (BBC) Railway plan for Kenya The challenges of logistics in Africa Inefficiency in African logistics -comprehensive article African trade hampered by logistics costs, lack of skills Case example of improved logistics (southern Africa) Africa Resource Bank meeting (2007), hosted by Inter Region Economic Network Kenya slum clearance is overwhelmingly a good thing African infrastructure news/projects Infrastructural Investment is Essential to Growth Transport Prices and Costs in Africa (Google book excerpt) African infrastructure directly affects trade Lack of logistics the key barrier to increased FDI Efficient logistics is key to growth -analysis and world ranking by country Infrastructure Reports/Analyses (PDF) Cost of logistics in Africa -comprehensive report (PDF) Superior World Bank overview of trade/logistics in SSA (PDF on this site) Addressing lack of efficiency and organisation are key to trade growth-private contractor's overview in presentation format (PDF) Africa telecommunications on its way -and here (comprehensive telecommunications data worldwide, dating from 2000) -and here (comprehensive ICT data from ITU, 2007) African telecoms growth Africa's telecoms market -challenges and competition
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DONDO, ANGOLA 2007: Chinese railway workers put tracks in Dondo, about 200
kilometres outside Luanda, Angola. Chinese companies are building and upgrading
two different railways in Angola, and this part is about 500 kilometres long.
All the special equipment has been shipped from China and hundreds of workers
live in military style road camps. They are moved as the tracks are laid down.
Tens of thousands of Chinese have come to Africa over recent years to work in
infrastructure projects and businesses. Chinese companies are often the lowest
bidders for contracts, pricing out the more expensive European companies. |
African Resources And Their Potential See Environment section on front page for ways that Kenya addresses native energy potential MINERALS UGANDA GETS GOLD REFINERY -internal processing adds value to native resources IPAD DRC 2010 -mining summit for industry, financiers and developers OIL China, Africa and Oil (Council on Foreign Relations overview) Comprehensive overview of the management and use of African minerals -transparency, efficiency and skills transfer (PDF)(focussing on French involvement) (in French/English) 30th March 2011 UGANDA Tullow oil in $2.9 billion Ugandan deal with Total, Chinese contractor (Reuters)... ...because Museveni wants his cut Chinese exceptionally active in Angola -at a price ELECTRICITY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MTN, the largest telecoms player in emerging markets  POWER GENERATION Africa NEEDS power contracts -for investment and to power future industry
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SEE COMPUTING SECTION ON DEVELOPMENT PAGE FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS See http://aidintoafrica.org for personal efforts and experiences of computer donations and previous projects
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See Donation Project page for personal experiences of computer donations
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How prevalence of disease affects economic growth (PDF) Proof of the link between health, happiness and quality of life (PDF) Public-private partnerships can definitely make a difference to health projects and investment -capitalism is no longer a dirty word when it comes to development to save lives HEALTH FAILURES ILLUSTRATE SHORT-TERM THINKING OF LEADERS Inefficiency, bad planning are root causes of health sector failures Barriers eg disease -Africa fails to retain qualified doctors (BBC) -medical malaise in Nigeria (BBC) ICT directly benefits health research and treatment Beneficial use of computers in African medicine (PDF) Mobile commerce finds its niche in the health industry in South Africa (PDF) Native use of medicine implies inherent and useful knowledge -the opposite is the case, showing ignorance and alienation (Google book) African traditions often based on false knowledge |
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The overwhelming driving force for economic progress in the modern world is Foreign Direct Investment, which shows the will to integrate, sell to and link with foreign partners. Over time, this changes global but also local tastes, introducing mutual responsibilities and drives towards productive and skillset efficiency. FDI.NET -latest news |
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April 2011 African Economic Outlook report Lack of, and concentration of, Foreign Direct Investment in SSA directly linked to-
FDI inherently helps certain industries in Africa (PDF) Reasons for not investing in Africa -bureaucracy, lack of organisation, incompetence, corruption (PDF -see p.11) US/Africa trade overview with links (Afrik.com) Australian mining in Africa -skills and investment empower the continent UAE in Africa India in Africa The importance of FDI to Africa -trade not aid along with correct policies The Phenomenon of Asian growth versus economic malaise in SSA Rwanda addresses its genocidal past in exactly the right way -by empowering its own people through mutually beneficial projects SEE RWANDA CASE STUDY ON DEVELOPMENT PAGE |
April 2011 South-south cooperation the key to enhanced and mutually beneficial trade (see mining section on Development page)
Information and Communications Technology powers FDI (PDF) Foreign Direct Investment is the future in Africa -but the challenges have to be met -World Bank, 2001 (PDF) FDI challenges in SSA -Overseas Development Institute (2002) (PDF on this site) -bureaucracy, decrepit infrastructure, low business confidence, corruption |
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 (above) recent history of FDI flows (right) Now that modernisation has shown itself to be mutually beneficial, Africa is doing its best, despite all its issues, to reach out to the productive world (IMF report, 2008) |
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CHINA IN AFRICA |
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THE CHINA PHENOMENON (also see Asia Business section on Business page) |
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(below) Latest news from NBC featuring China's politics and business 
LATEST NEWS OF CHINA IN
AFRICA ChinaAfricaNews.com
THE WEST and its role in global growth See also African Mentality section on Africa page China in Africa slideshow (Time magazine) CHINA IN AFRICA -superior overview (Google book) 10 new construction wonders of the new China (with pictures)(2007) China invests around the world -overview (also see Agriculture section below) CHINESE FDI IN AFRICA WORKS -statistics, analysis, case studies (UN report 2007) (PDF) Asian Foreign Investment in Africa (UN report summary, 2007) THE CHINESE IN AFRICA -difficulties and challenges Overview (Council on Foreign Relations, 2008) Chinese investment in Africa (overview, BBC) Overview -China's involvement means money, technology, resources grabbed and less transparency More Chinese coverage Sudanese view -observer admits that China is not interfering neither will it help apart from invest, but that Africa needs help Chinese business methods in Africa Chinese investment benefits but also changes local markets -Cameroon example China Kenya Investment forum meeting (with contacts details) (2006)(PDF) Chinese involvement in Africa (2006 reports) Chinese in major oil deal with Nigeria Chinese history and future in Africa -commentary Chinese Workers SUPERIOR OVERVIEW OF CHINESE DIASPORA IN AFRICA (PDF) Africans marvel at hard-working Chinese, but see a takeover by foreign money and employers Chinese migration to Africa brings skills, money and opportunities for both sides Africa needs China's skills (business summit 2009, South Africa) Chinese make a huge difference in Africa -but only want their own skilled workers Chinese lack transparency, focus on their own workers for development China's influence in Africa, due to sweet deals, imported workers and the ignoring of African issues 'Land Grab' and China Overview of foreign African land purchases Summary of overseas land deals (FAO)(PDF) Land investment means real value for Africa SEE DEVELOPMENT PAGE OVERVIEW Chinese Perspective on Africa -FDI, efficient extraction of resources, and South-South cooperation (PDF) Why China is so productive globally-
Characteristics of Chinese growth
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March 2011 China 'due to overtake US in science by 2013' (BBC) (below) China's thirst for commodities and its determination to progress in the light of previous planning failures and a nationalistic vision have led to startling progress  CHINA AND TRADE CHINA'S NUCLEAR VISION
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 ALSO SEE AGRICULTURE SECTION, DEVELOPMENT PAGE (right) African agricultural growth has always been low but has stagnated even when new techniques have been introduced to aid productivity and bring new methods. Asian growth has epitomised the benefits of research, planning and government vision to provide new crop strains, find export markets and invest in the correct machinery (from World Bank blog) |
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History of Agriculture -Technology and Summary Even in physical terms, a lack of resources, but the right attitude, can form the right conditions for foreign investment (see example right) African Agriculture OverviewGREEN REVOLUTION ENABLED TRANSFER OF AGRICULTURE TO INDUSTRY It is logistics and efficiency which are the barrier to African poverty -NOT soil/lack of seeds/climate Africa has historically lacked in agricultural innovation Western innovation exposed African industry to the outside world US farmers' subsidies hurt African progressWhite farmers from Zimbabwe make a huge difference in Nigeria, due to attitude and skills... ...and also in the Congo White farms' productivity shows in production data -skills and the need to satisfy external markets, ie, 'added value' SEE AFRICAN MENTALITY SECTION ABOVE |
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Analysis of Agriculture's Potential in Africa Industry and challenges
Mechanisation
African attitudes/skills
European/Western history of agricultural growth
Research And The Future In Agriculture |
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