In any given society, the citizens pin their hopes on the ability of their leaders to deliver something substantial to their lives. With African leaders having attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the citizens back home expect their leaders to bring something meaningful back home.
Africa is a beaming bastion of the world’s natural resources. Plenty opportunities are found in Africa, and many awaiting beneficial exploitation especially for the Africans themselves. The World Economic Forum held in Davos has been an opportunity for African leaders to create networks, relations, partnerships, synergies and deals.
The messages that African leaders have been relaying back home have sent some fresh sense of optimism. The gathering in Davos is a coterie of business leaders, global executives, politicians, financial moguls and the media. It is a meeting of the rich capitalists discussing ways on how to improve the world’s economies. A perfect platform for African leaders to “market” their countries as whole packages in order to attract investors.
Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke of a “simple message”. His message hinged on the alluring proposition that “Zimbabwe is open for business”. In his interview, he reiterated the issues of a reformed Zimbabwe, something that may sound enticing to investors who have always been repelled from the country by clear disregard of constitutionalism, human rights and poor policies.
Paul Kagame, the Rwandan leader credited with bringing stability, peace and growth in Rwanda, albeit with an authoritarian hand, shared videos and images from meetings with Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
Business leaders from Africa including Africa Development Bank (AfDB) president, AkinwumiAdesina are at the forum, sharing the investment opportunities that are available on the continent.
"We have launched a $500 million fund to support businesses in Africa that are producing power in a decentralised way," said AfDB’s Adesina.
"I am here to tell the Nigerian story, how we are using new technology to drive financial inclusion. It’s time to tell stories of what we are doing right and how, together, we can scale it," said Diamond Bank CEO Uzoma Dozie.
For Somalia, their major priority they seek to address pertains to the issue of their debt relief. Somalia has sent a delegation at the forum for the first time in history. "Somalia’s debt relief is a priority for the IMF and every effort is being made to accelerate the process within established procedures," the IMF said in a statement released after the meeting.
For all the partnerships, meetings being held in Switzerland, surely, it must yield something positive for the citizens back home. Economic matters are at the heart of the development of any country.