BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
I remember watching an interesting TEDx lecture by Nigerian-born Canadian professor Pius Adebola Adesanmi. He was confident illustarating “Africa is the forward that the world needs to face”. Africa has tradition and wisdom that is keeping it beautiful, mystical and organic. The other world might have quite a run in technology, science, innovation and explotation of resources. But, Africa which seems to have been slow in modernization and technology will be advantegous to make its development with little or no repercussions.
There is no ambiguity that Africa is the new frontier to the world economy. Africa has many of the things the world market needs such as diversified resources, human power and developing technolgical skills . Innovation and entrepreneurship are also rising. The global competition might have caused different problems such as some old trenched problems to escalate or excessive pressures to being the focus of international competition.
If one can see, Africa in a bigger picture, its day is unfolding in a way the world to accept than resist. For people in Africa, life still might be challenging as CNN Africa’s promo; “chances to few, the pitfalls to many.” Africa is certainly the future destination of investment, agriculture production, innovation and many more. In an effort of explaining this fact, President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina preferred to sing Jimmy Cliff song: “I Can See Clearly Now.”
“I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day”
Africa has gone through various obstacles in its history. It isn’t even century old being independent from bonds of colonialsm, and aparthied. It has resulted the continent to be a scene of conflicts, recurrent drought and poverty. Emerging from this, it is now undertaking infrastructural projects, expanding education, improving health status and increasing its place at the international level. It is now the fastest growing continent in the world.
As it is dawning in African horizon, governments and agencies in the continent have a duty of supporting, protecting and accelerating this progress through designing policies, implementing intervenion, and providing technical and financial support. African Development Bank Group in this regard will have significant contribution to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs). It is mobilizing and allocating resources for investment in RMCs; and providing policy advice and technical assistance to support development efforts.
The organization has recently been ranked fourth out of 47 global development institutions on its Aid Transparency Index. In its 2020 annual report, the Bank said it has connected 260,000 people to electricity supply. Around 16.4 million people benefited from improvements in agriculture. About 9.2 million people gained access to better transport services, and 8.3 million people benefited from new or improved water and sanitation. While singing the song, the president signaled hope and determination to support Africa’s endeavor to development. In fact, the bank he leads has introduced different programs such as €10 million investment on reinsurance firm.
Adesina shows that the future of prosperous Africa isn’t a fairytale. It is tangible truth as it has ample resources to create wealth. He said, “Time has come for Africa not just produce food. Africa must process food. Africa must package food. Africa must have quality standards on food and Africa must export to others. So when we talk about agriculture, we’re not talking about agriculture to maintain poverty, no — agriculture to create wealth for Africa.” Africa has now regretted the times that have passed before enjoying its opportunitites. Now, it has the commitment and knowledge to get benefitted from its blessings.
“Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now the rain is gone”
There is wider hope, and possibilties are infinite but this doesn’t mean that the journey of Africa’s dvelopment will be a free ride. Infact, there are numerous challenges. There is security challenges, quick environmental changes and others. Adesina emphasized on the security challenges to be taken seriously for Africa’s hope to be achieved sooner.
He reiterated the need to boost Africa’s security given the high level of insecurity, especially in the jihadist hit nations. “Development can only happen when we have security. So the days are gone when security is looked like something for others. Security is now part of our own thinking in the Bank because we must support the countries to address security. So there must be a link between security, investment, growth and development,” said Adesina.
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Bri-ri-ri-ri’, bright, (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day, yeah, eh
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day, yeah, na
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Bri-ri-ri-ri’, bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny…
Africa has however a long way to go to unleash its diverisfied and huge potential to development. Africans should keep themselves motivated for more and help Africans in the diaspora and other investors to look for the rich potential in various sectors. Africa also needs to further mobilizes all its resources be it human power, skills and financial resources. In this process, it has to rebrand its name, keep promoting its good image, show the progress and trigger postivity. That is what President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina literary does by singing the song “It’s gonna be a bright day.”
The Ethiopian Herald June 16/2022
