African renaissance is here!

Africa is no longer a dark continent, neither is it a poor one. Misery and pain have now been replaced by hope and the eagerness to achieve.
This is what I got from the World Economic Forum on Africa summit which I attended in Cape Town, South Africa, last week.
This particular summit was different from the previous ones where Africans and delegates from other countries meet to tabulate the continent’s problems, coming up with proposals, which are often discussed in a subdued manner as many will not be sure if proposal A or B is achievable given the challenges, or perceived challenges rather, in Africa.
But this time around things were very different. The politicians, the academia, the private sector, civil society and the rest of them were confident that Africa had come alive.
Discussions centred more on solutions as opposed to hour-long presentations and discussions on the continent’s problems.
The sectoral discussions and plenary sessions on such topics as infrastructure development, China-Africa relations, democracy, investment initiatives and other such progressive topics, were all full of hope.
Not just hope but tangible optimism that will certainly turn the continent from pitch black to silky white if the momentum is maintained.
The meeting was attended by at least 900 delegates from 60 countries around the globe. Every one of them oozed with confidence.
Even some of the Western media, which normally has nothing good to say about this continent, was left scrounging for negative aspects which were certainly in discord with what was happening.
Of course, the delegates’ confidence was backed by a 5,2 percent growth that the continent has enjoyed over the past decade, a figure higher than the global average of 4,2 percent.
Furthermore, the continent has been identified as the third fastest growing region, after Asia and the USA.
The above statistics tell the story that Africa is progressing. Whether these statistics are already being reflected in the lives of ordinary Africans is subject to debate, but we should not lose sight of the fact that it was unheard of previously for the continent to be accounted on the top list of any ranking developments.
We were used to breaking records as having the highest malaria deaths, the lowest Gross National Product, the least share of foreign direct investment and so on. But slowly, the tide is changing.
If we zero-in on Zimbabwe in particular, we notice that we are somehow moving with the flow. A snapshot of the Global Competitive Report released recently will show that the country managed to achieve the number one rating in terms of bursting the inflation bubble.
Remember only yesterday we had the highest inflation rate. Beating even those countries that were at war then. That was one statistic that always bothered me as an individual but we have managed to turn the tables.
A dinner hosted for Zimbabwe during the WEF on Africa meeting was also illustrative. The interest from investors and other delegates from across the globe was amazing.
The room that had been booked was not big enough and scores of people had to be turned away while others chose to literally squeeze themselves by the wall within the room.
Even South Africa’s International Relations Minister could not help but comment on the interest pledging to look for a venue the size of one of the World Cup venues next time there was such a function on Zimbabwe.
The interest was real. Discussions during the interactive dinner pointed one way: Zimbabwe is on a recovery and growth path that needs to be sustained by continuous improvement of the operating climate.
Many were convinced that within the next few years this country will have regained its previous status in the region or even surpassed it, at this rate.
The 9,3 percent economic growth figure is set to be achieved while higher figures are anticipated over the next few years.
We sincerely hope that this interest and optimism on Africa and Zimbabwe, in particular will be translated into tangible progress that will see us claim our fair share of the global cake.
It’s time the continent influenced global policy and trends. Africa can no longer be expected to be gullible, even to things that hurt its people and resources.
In God I Trust!
l victoria. [email protected]