Africa Rising 21st Century

               Over my years working on Africa – both in and out of government service – I have seen criticism of what many have described as a deficient U.S. policy toward Africa.   To some extent, our government’s Africa policies and actions certainly have not been successful, and in some cases were disastrously unsuccessful no matter how well-meaning.   Nevertheless, on the whole our government’s policies have been improving and have enjoyed measurable success in several aspects.             I was asked in a recent television interview what the U.S. Government should do to create and sustain a successful policy toward the nations of Africa.   I believe such a policy should touch on four elements that are all interconnected.   First and foremost is human rights.   Without human rights being honored by African governments, no other element can succeed.   Due process and basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and, of course, freedom of rel

                 There have been appeals for quite some time for a “Marshall Plan” for Africa to help governments on the continent and their populations to advance to a point where poverty is minimized and economic progress on the continent can be achieved.   However, whatever the plan to reverse African decline is called, it won’t look like the post-World War II plan for Europe’s recovery, which was created and implemented from 1948-52 in quite different circumstances than we see today.             First of all, Europe was devastated by a destructive war, which although started by the so-called Axis Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan), came about because much of the devastation was due to allied bombing.   Industrial production had dropped to a third of what it had been in 1936.   Nearly a quarter of all housing had been destroyed. There were nine million European refugees in the cold winter of 1946-47, some of them coming to the United States and other Western nations.    Food ration

             There are an increasing number of people in the African Diaspora who want to start farming in Africa.   They usually possess land they think can become profitable with a poultry farm or fruit/vegetable farm.   There is merit in the idea, but those who choose this path should understand that land itself is not enough.             I know people involved in financing such projects, and they tell me plenty of people own land in Africa.   However, lenders and investors need to see how the land will be used and how the loan or investment will pay off.   This is where prospective farmers often run into problems.   You need to know not just what you think you want to grow; you also need to demonstrate how you will acquire the livestock or seeds.   You also need to know what your process for farming will be and demonstrate that you or your workers have the ability to follow through with your plan.   Furthermore, you need to have a solid process for identifying your buyers with de