World Economic Forum on Africa

Victoria Ruzvidzo (The Herald)—The World Economic Forum on Africa began here yesterday with African leaders registering optimism that the continent was on a sustainable growth path despite challenges such as the global food crisis, climate change, power and energy shortages.

Victoria Ruzvidzo (The Herald)—The World Economic Forum on Africa began here yesterday with African leaders registering optimism that the continent was on a sustainable growth path despite challenges such as the global food crisis, climate change, power and energy shortages.

Speaking during the opening session, South African President Thabo Mbeki said Africa was moving in the right direction, with efforts to bring about peace and stability yielding positive results across the continent.

"As Africans, we have the capacity to confront our challenges and I am convinced that the continent is moving in the right direction. The process of bringing peace to the continent is irreversible," he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Ghanaian President John Kufuor, who said Africa should tap into its natural resources such as mineral resources, fertile lands and human resources to improve people’s lives. The discovery of more oil deposits would augur well for the continent. "Africa may actually hold more oil reserves than any other continent," he said. Mr Kufuor challenged Africans to put into perspective the challenges left behind by the colonial system, saying no meaningful progress would be achieved without taking into account the effects of colonialism.

"We need leaders who use history to look ahead. Our former masters will continue to divide and rule us if we are not careful," he said to much applause. "If we are not going to tackle our problems without doing an in-depth analysis of colonialism, then we will not go anywhere."

Also present at the opening plenary was Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, who said Africa was not a poor continent but that it was its people who were poor, a condition that could be transformed through investment in agriculture. With the right policies, Africa had the capacity to supply the rest of the world with food.

"Let us turn things around. It will be Africans who will save the rest of the world from the food crisis. Virtually every crop can grow in this country," he said. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza also emphasised the need for sustainable peace as a basis for socio-economic development. "If we do not have peace it is not possible to develop our continent," he said. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who differed with other leaders on the effects of colonialism on the African landscape, challenged African leaders to pursue effective solutions to the challenges bedevilling the continent. He said instead of aid, Africa needed to attract more foreign direct investment. More than 800 delegates are attending the forum, whose theme is "Capitalising on Opportunity". The meeting seeks to address the challenges that Africa must address if it is to become a global force. Its agenda is built around five pillars which are re-engineering growth, unfinished business, innovate or perish, partnership without borders and licence to lead.

"Building on the tremendous progress Africa has made over recent years, opportunities abound despite existing obstacles. During our meeting in Cape Town, leaders will, therefore, focus on how to capitalise on these unparalleled opportunities in order to overcome the continent’s seemingly complex challenges," said World Economic Forum managing director Mr Borge Brende.

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