Africa isn’t a charity case. It’s a complex, investable, high-growth region. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider “aid” and trade as a long-term approach, but listen first. The African Tourism Board USA and Germany are aware of this and promote a different approach.
The new African Tourism Board overseas representative based in Berlin, Germany knows, that investments in Africa need to be rethought to reflect realities, growth opportunities and a win/win for everyone wanting to get involved for the long term.
Swiss-based Amne Suedi, claiming to be Africa’s Pickiest Investment Adviser, remembered when Bill Gates pledged $200 billion to African development; everyone celebrated. Anne saw a fundamental problem.
As someone facilitating investments between Africa and global markets for over a decade, she asked: Who defines “development”?
The answer reveals everything wrong with philanthropic development in Africa. Here’s why:
The AGRA Reality Check
Gates’ previous flagship initiative promised to help 30 million African smallholder households. Instead, hunger increased by 30% in target countries—$1B+ spent with negligible impact.
The Silicon Valley Syndrome
Western philanthropists default to technical fixes because that’s their world. But African development isn’t broken code. You can’t app your way through generational trust networks or land rights complexities.
What True Partnership Looks Like
My approach with Swiss investors proves that a different model works:
- Listen first, prescribe later
- Strengthen local systems, don’t build parallel ones
- Take minority stakes, share real risk
- Commit 7-15 years, not 12-month pilots
Follow the Money
- Foreign Direct Investments in Africa are up 85% to $94B (2024)
- African Foreign Direct Investments returns are 11.4% vs 7% global average
- Meanwhile, traditional aid for Africa is shrinking
The Path Forward should be
- True impact requires:
- African custodianship of capital
- Systems-first approach
- Local procurement priority
- Citizen accountability
- Diaspora engagement
Africa isn’t a charity case. It’s a complex, investable, high-growth region. The future belongs to those who understand this fundamental truth.
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