Financial Times: Perceptions of Africa lag behind the brightening reality

Editorial Board

 

“In 2000, The Economist published a cover story referring to Africa as the hopeless continent. That description still rankles. Fortunately, it is not true. … Of course, there are deep problems. Poverty, corruption, and injustice are rife, with pockets of extreme instability and violence. Inequalities are shocking and some diseases, including malaria and tuberculosis, continue to be killers. … Still, there is much that is positive. Many countries are growing fast. … There have been big health gains. … What needs to be done to ensure that these glimmers of hope do not fizzle out? Most urgent is education. … Above all, leaders need to put development front and centre…” (9/4).