Africa is a rich and highly endowed Continent but somehow it seems to remain in the shadows of attaining its full potential. Name it, and Africa’s got it all! Pristine beaches and wildlife, enriched landscapes packed with natural resources and gems, a teeming youthful and energetic population awaiting to unleash their inherent talents, …. What then could possibly go wrong? Strategic investments in education, healthcare, power, technology, and critical infrastructures are shaping up to provide opportunities and decent quality of life. However, except for a handful of African countries, the vast majority appear stalled in a cyclic state of conscious unconsciousness.
As a Continent, Africa is not devoid of millionaires and even billionaires, entrepreneurs, trail-blazing innovators, industrialists, technocrats, scientists, athletes, artists, and much more. In fact, abundant talents abound across the Continent and beyond (which include its rich and vibrant diaspora communities). However, maximizing these talents and resources into tangible and beneficial outcomes that impacts the collective often appear a mirage! Somehow, achieving a state of intentional integration of talents and resources in a manner that amplifies long-lasting and far-reaching success beyond the power of a single individual appears elusive. African entrepreneurs cannot be content with building unicorns (privately held businesses with valuation of $1Billion). Sadly, these one-man run empires typically dissipate and extinguish with the demise of their solo founders. Sadly, in Africa, unlike the West, the vision rarely outlives the founder.
In this zero-sum game, several successful African businesses seldom make a lasting impact on their immediate communities. In several instances, investments in healthcare, education, skills acquisition, and human capital development are solely left to the Governments with negligible commitment or input by unicorns. Of course, Governments (Federal, State, Local) have major roles to play – sound policies, infrastructures, enabling and safe environments, …. However, Africa’s elites can borrow a leaf from the examples of the men whose wealth impacted America during a difficult developmental phase – the Rockefellers, Carnegies, Ford, etc. To accelerate transformation across the African landscape, Africa’s unicorns need to think about their contributions, as well as enduring legacies. Leaving an indelible mark on the African Continent (the Motherland) that would positively impact generations yet unborn lies the power of true wealth – impact beyond time!
A Value Chain Academy Commentary
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