Africa in 2015: Why we should be optimistic

Imagine if Africa could grow at great rates? It could lift millions of people out of poverty, just as China did in the last thirty years. Is it the time to be optimistic about Africa in 2015 and beyond? Don't believe what the naysayers are projecting. Despite the few instabilities here and there, the continent is on a positive growth trajectory. Yes, there was the all too recent coup in Burkina Faso. The instabilities in South Sudan as well Mali and the Central African Republic are still fresh in our minds. However, here's the point. The fact is that there are more countries experiencing booming growth, and we shouldn't ever forget this.

For instance, six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. Pessimists may argue that such growth is coming from a low base, but the fact is that this growth is lifting a small but significant number
of Africans from poverty. If the growth rates can be sustained, and even increased, then the continent could realise tremendous improvement in the stndards of living of its people.

Don't forget that every year, African universities and Colleges churn out roughly 3 million graduates every year. This number is comparable to the graduates churned out by Indian and Chinese Universities. What's more, if these graduates could graduate with skills that are actually needed in the job market, and helps them get jobs immediately after graduation, then the continent's young people could be on a path to prosperity. Also, in the last elections, there were peaceful elections in at least seven African countries, which shows that democracy is slowly but gradually taking root in Africa.

When one considers that food will be the new gold in the future, and the fact that two thirds of the arable land is in Africa, then we begin to realize that Africa really holds the key to global prosperity. We must urge irrigation in poor rural and semi arid areas if we are to realize this potential. Taken together, all these factors point to an African renaissance, and it is why African optimists must continue singing the African rising ochestra.