Mo Ibrahim: 'The numbers say Africa is rising'

The Rwandan capital Kigali hosted this year’s annual meetings of the African Development Bank, set up in 1964 with the goal of strengthening African solidarity by means of economic cooperation between African states.

Among the international economists and experts attending the 49th meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Kigali was Sudanese-British mobile communications entrepreneur and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim. In 2006 he established the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to encourage better governance in Africa. A year later he initiated the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

DW: Mr Ibrahim, how do you evaluate the performance of host country Rwanda towards fulfilling the goal of the AfDB?

Mo Ibrahim: Rwanda really did take very strong steps towards development. I mean this place is unrecognizable. There's a very good management of economy and resources – it's a success story and that's great.

You've been here, attending different meetings and talking about Africa, Africa rising and African entrepreneurs. Do you believe this idea of Africa rising in terms of entrepreneurship could really be achievable?

This is not an idea. It is a reading of the data. African revenue is going up, the number of educated people in Africa is going up, Africa's transparency and governance is improving. We are in the business of data, not the business of slogans. We publish our index every year in which we measure 133 parameters for every African country, It shows that Africa is moving forward. This is data which comes from 25 international organizations. The world is working with us and this is a most credible set of data. I'm not in the business of applauding Africa, we're in the business of telling the truth about Africa and the numbers say Africa is rising.

In the past 20 years Rwanda has made this development that you are talking about. Do you think it can serve as a best lesson for other African countries?

Sure, it's a good example of how things should be done. [There is] clean government and transparency, lack of corruption, educating people and moving forward. It is definitely a success story and we hope that this continues. We are going to keep watching you guys!

Mo Ibrahim is a Sudanese-British entrepreneur and philanthropist and the initiator of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

Interview: Sylivanus Karemera

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"The End of History"- Nov 20, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll)

".. Africa

Let me tell you where else it's happening that you are unaware - that which is the beginning of the unity of the African states. Soon the continent will have what they never had before, and when that continent is healed and there is no AIDS and no major disease, they're going to want what you have. They're going to want houses and schools and an economy that works without corruption. They will be done with small-minded leaders who kill their populations for power in what has been called for generations "The History of Africa." Soon it will be the end of history in Africa, and a new continent will emerge.

Be aware that the strength may not come from the expected areas, for new leadership is brewing. There is so much land there and the population is so ready there, it will be one of the strongest economies on the planet within two generations plus 20 years. And it's going to happen because of a unifying idea put together by a few. These are the potentials of the planet, and the end of history as you know it.

In approximately 70 years, there will be a black man who leads this African continent into affluence and peace. He won't be a president, but rather a planner and a revolutionary economic thinker. He, and a strong woman with him, will implement the plan continent-wide. They will unite. This is the potential and this is the plan. Africa will arise out the ashes of centuries of disease and despair and create a viable economic force with workers who can create good products for the day. You think China is economically strong? China must do what it does, hobbled by the secrecy and bias of the old ways of its own history. As large as it is, it will have to eventually compete with Africa, a land of free thinkers and fast change. China will have a major competitor, one that doesn't have any cultural barriers to the advancement of the free Human spirit. …."