My previous post ended with a question, who gets the benefits from all African natural resources? The point was to understand the paradox of having at the same time so much natural resources and a very high human poverty on the continent. In other words, Africans continue to see their environment exploited and transformed every day without any substantial compensation to their daily life, something is wrong.

In 2015, a report on Illicit Financial Flow (IFF) stated that Africa is losing yearly more than $50 billion in illicit financial outflows. This includes tax abuse, market abuse, corruptions, and money laundering. As quoted by Mbeki, “illicit financial outflows whose source is Africa end up somewhere in the rest of the world.”[i] That is where the product of African resources is hidden. It is important to note that this amount higher than all inflows received as development assistance in Africa. Basically, if stopped, Africa can finance its own development without any foreign help!

In order to change the trend and give the chance to the continent to take advantage over its resources, African governments will need the support from the international community. For example, a strict control over offshore companies and tax haven may make difficult the outflow and keep on the continent what belongs to the continent. In the meantime, African governments is required to undertake deep reforms promoting transparency and the rule of the law, and combatting corruption and nepotism.

This is the way Africa will be able to reach ambitious objectives such as reducing inequalities and poverty, promoting sustainable development, social justice, and equal opportunities.

[i]The Illicit Financial Flows Report Commissioned by AU/ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Retrieved from https://www.uneca.org/sites/default/files/PublicationFiles/iff_main_report_26feb_en.pdf

Mwamongu water source by Wikimedia.

It’s depressing when we look at the African continent and its paradoxes today. On one hand, we have this amazing and charming land which overflows with a variety of natural resources that feed all industries and create wealth around the world. Products from its soil and subsoil cover all sectors of the economy including energy, jewelry, and high tech.

On the other hand, we have this extreme poverty, where people live on a day to day basis. So many are still dying due to some preventable causes such as famine, armed conflicts, lack of adequate healthcare, malaria, choleras, and so on.  Access to education, electricity, and clean water is still a privilege in so many areas across the continent.

According to the 2016 report of the Human Development Index,[I] all African countries rank between medium and low human development except Libya, Mauritius, and Seychelles which rank among high human development index. Statistically, these three countries represent a population of 6 412 753[ii], 1 281 353[iii], and 97 567[iv] respectively. A total of 7 791 673 out 1 246 504 865[v] for the entire continent. Basically, we have 0.63% of the African population which have a high human development index. Strange reality!

Well, this is the twenty first, more than sixty years after the independence waves on the continent, it would be time to ask the right questions: who gets the benefit of all exploited natural resources in Africa? Are these natural resources a curse or a blessing for Africa?

Copper mining in Zambia, Source: Joburgpost, https://www.joburgpost.co.za/2017/02/17/7014/

[i] http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/HDI

[ii] http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/libya-population/

[iii] http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/mauritius-population/

[iv] http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/seychelles-population/

[v] http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/africa-population/

Seven years ago, I came for the first time to the US in vacations. As you can imagine I
was coming with those images from movies about America. Everything perfect, nice…I spent three weeks in Arizona visiting the monument valley, Antelope valley, and the Grand Canyon area. At the very end of my vacations, I went with couple of my friends to the Tempe Marketplace for the last shopping. That where things changed radically in my mind.
In fact, we found a homeless person asking for help at the main entrance. It might seem bizarre but honestly, I was shocked to see a homeless person in the US. I knew how the US is involved in so many humanitarian missions across the globe. To my understanding, they go overseas because they have already filled local needs. Strangely, there are still people in real need here. In my confusion, I gave him all changes that collected since my arrival (coins were too confusing to me so I was just collecting them).
On my way back, that image stick to my mind and kept coming back over and over. As per pure revelation, I felt like understanding the situation. In the name of solidarity, those who give and share do not always have enough. They are just empathetic, putting themselves into others’ feet and feeling their pains. They even sacrifice their own needs. Charming people! Charming land!