Is Africa still rising? Yes! Uhuru tells World Economic Forum
- 5 years ago
There has been skepticism in the recent past about Africa’s rise.
So, the question remains, is Africa still rising?
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s answer is a resounding ‘yes!’
Kenya’s Head of State believes the problem is that the narrative around Africa has always been far too simplistic and far too reductive and the continent often stops rightly interpreting its unfolding story, “to embrace the novelty of a new plot.”
President Kenyatta who closed the plenary session of the Grow Africa Investment Forum Wednesday afternoon at the World Economic Forum in Kigali, Rwanda was resolute that young Africans needed to be empowered to innovate, and African businesses enabled to expand and contribute to the global competition that brings consumers quality at the lowest cost.
“If farmers are able to competitively export their produce, then Africa will change the world. What is at stake when considering the economic prospects of Africa isn’t just the future of the continent, it’s the future of the world,” President Kenyatta said.
He acknowledged that the continent has suffered setbacks but was optimistic the tide was turning.
“Many are wondering whether Africa’s so-called rise is real, or whether we celebrated a little too early. Several factors have raised this skepticism: from security crises, to the widespread challenge of youth unemployment, to slower growth on the continent.”
In giving hope, he explained that Africa had achieved a solid average growth rate of 5 percent over the past 15 years.
So, the question remains, is Africa still rising?
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s answer is a resounding ‘yes!’
Kenya’s Head of State believes the problem is that the narrative around Africa has always been far too simplistic and far too reductive and the continent often stops rightly interpreting its unfolding story, “to embrace the novelty of a new plot.”
President Kenyatta who closed the plenary session of the Grow Africa Investment Forum Wednesday afternoon at the World Economic Forum in Kigali, Rwanda was resolute that young Africans needed to be empowered to innovate, and African businesses enabled to expand and contribute to the global competition that brings consumers quality at the lowest cost.
“If farmers are able to competitively export their produce, then Africa will change the world. What is at stake when considering the economic prospects of Africa isn’t just the future of the continent, it’s the future of the world,” President Kenyatta said.
He acknowledged that the continent has suffered setbacks but was optimistic the tide was turning.
“Many are wondering whether Africa’s so-called rise is real, or whether we celebrated a little too early. Several factors have raised this skepticism: from security crises, to the widespread challenge of youth unemployment, to slower growth on the continent.”
In giving hope, he explained that Africa had achieved a solid average growth rate of 5 percent over the past 15 years.