Trade vs. Aid in Africa
Benin at www.beninmwangi.com has a very good article on which form of money better benefits the countries in Sub Saharan Africa. I’ve been interested in learning how to do business in Africa and I’ve heard this same question come up on shows like Inside Africa on CNN. While I think it’s great that Bono, Oprah and all these celebrities are working to get aid for Africa, is the money helping or hindering the overall growth? Would it be better to invest in African businesses by encouraging more trade in the U.S?
It’s a tough question to answer that’s worth looking in to. I try to always encourage people to think global. There are a lot of opportunities in these emerging countries and I don’t want to miss out. I hope to do a podcast on this topic one day because it’s an issue worth discussing.
June 6th, 2007 at 3:58 am
Hey Buddy, am here in Tanzania for the TED Global Conference and this topic is the one of huge debate. Bono was taken to task by Andrew Mwenda a Ugandan journalist who said that aid is given without understanding the citizens of Africa. Many other commentators believe that the likes of Bono do no understand that aid has not worked in its current model and unless that model changes it will further damage African countries. Ironcially he went to the G8 summit to further share the ideas of many of the African voices that raised up about this subject. The next few years will show some significant changes on this debate, we have been assured.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:04 am
David, thanks for the update. If you get anymore information on this, let me know. The celebrities that visit Africa are doing a good thing on one side because they are bringing light to to issues. Wherever they go, the cameras are usually right behind them. Hopefully, this topic will also be brought to the forefront through their efforts.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Ah, guys…I’m very happy to see that the 2 of you have met. Theo, definitly David will have some great insights to share with us when he heads back to the UK.
David I’m really happy that you were able to make the TED 2007 conference. Your posts from TED have been awesome. As were the comments that you have made above. This topic is sort of multifaceted, but the type of long-term aid that I am leaning towards is done by a Kenyan-based company called Technoserve. They train micro sized entrepreneurs on how to become more sufficient entrepreneurs and from my understanding each community that they have done the training in has seen income rise and has sprouted up related business clusters that each help each other. They do this in two or three countries in Africa and have recently branched off into South America with the same model.
Theo, you are pulling in some really good bloggers, thus illustrating how your blog has been getting stronger by the day. I really like this conversation and can think of no one better to participate than Dave-who shares a lot in common with yourself.
Thanks for keeping the conversation alive!
June 10th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Theo, what a great topic. The problems of Blacks in Africa are similar to the problems of Blacks in America in that much can be resolved with the establishment and/or strengthening of an economic foundation in our communities.
Yes, do more on this topic!
BTW, thanks for the shout out on Marty’s Blog!
June 10th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Benin: Thanks I appreciate that. I’m going to have to do a podcast with the both of you. I’ve learned a lot from your site and I think this is a way to get the word out about doing business with Africa.
Vanessa: No problem on the shout out. I saw you’d been interviewed before by Marty. I think it’s a great way to get to know more about the person behind the blog.
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:21 pm
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