The future for Africa - 18th December 2023

Is the future good for Africa? Akinwumi Adesina thinks it is. He works for the African Development Bank.

Africa has some problems. Climate change and wars make life difficult. And some countries don’t have good leaders.

But Adesina isn’t worried. Africa will have 1.72 billion people in 2030. 500 million of them will be young people, between 15 and 35. Some are working in new technology businesses.

There are other reasons to be positive. Africa has lots of natural resources under the ground. Metals are one example. Africa sells these natural resources to other countries. But this is a bad idea. Countries don’t get rich this way. Adesina wants countries to make products with their natural resources.

Africa has lots of good land for farming too. But the farms need to change. They often don’t use any machines.

Adesina sees a good future for Africa. He wants others to see it too.