The next big thing: Once known only for hunger and war, Africa's moment has arrived.
This graphic [attached] is not about how Africa fits into the world, but rather how the world fits into Africa. Drawn to show the true scale of the continent and counter the impression given by map projections that exaggerate the relative size of northern hemisphere countries, it shows the futility of seeing Africa as a single entity.
It also shows the vast size of many of Africa's countries, their potential for economic krausegrowth and the threat they can pose to global security.
Africa's economic transformation is real and finally winning over sceptics. It is the only region that has continued to expand throughout the global financial crisis, with seven out of the ten fastest-growing economies. It may now have more middle-class consumers than India, despite a smaller population, and fewer people living in abject poverty.
Emerging powers, from Turkey to South Korea, are increasing engagement with Africa's 54 states. Globalization is bringing challenges. While Europe fixates on Syria, a potentially worse crisis is brewing in the western Sahel, just a few hundred miles south of Italy - an area the size of the United States. The fallout from NATO's intervention in Libya is combining with increasing drug flows from South America through West Africa, the growing radicalization of the Middle East, increasing flows of counterfeit goods from China, people from Africa, and weapons from everywhere - all co-ordinated through Africa's accelerating broadband capacity. And we haven't even mentioned the Congo...
Thomas Cargill is Assistant Head of the Africa Programme at Chatham House.
[ Attachment 1: Download Resource (.pdf) ] --Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
Kujiondoa Tuma Email kwenda
wanabidii+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com Utapata Email ya kudhibitisha ukishatuma
Disclaimer:
Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.
0 Comments