I have just
returned from a wonderful training and development event in Senegal which I helped to deliver with colleagues from the Presencing Institute. https://www.presencing.com/
Using the
U-Process to initiate cross-continental organisational transformation we explored a range of
issues but focused in on innovative ways of using assets for sustainable
development.
 |
| CEO's prototyping the future |
It was organised by the African Alliance of
YMCA's and provided my colleagues and I an
opportunity to work with and train some of the most interesting, committed and talented
individuals I have ever met. These were the National General Secretaries (also
known as National Chief Executive Officers for YMCA's) in some 18 different
countries.
Despite all of
the problems that the continent is struggling with (and there are many), all I
can say to the West is - look out Africa is where we are going to see some
wonderful and exciting happenings.
 |
Sunset in Senegal |
1. The
population is young and innovative and unlike many parts of the world, Africa's
children want to learn and they are hungry for education
2. During the
start of the millennium, Africa’s GDP grew by 4.7% a year
3. Whilst there
are issues about the way that the Chinese have taken vast amounts of resources
out of the continent there are also more large infrastructural projects that
have been successfully brought to completion – meaning that local people have
greater accessibility to other parts of their own country
4. Since
independence, many countries in Africa have moved from being Low Income
Countries to becoming Middle Income countries.
5. Considerable
numbers of African migrants with experience skills and knowledge (some of which
they acquired in the west) are looking to return home taking these resources
with them.
6. Since 2000,
African countries have cut their combined foreign debt from 82% of GDP to 59%
7. Over the
same period, nations have reduced their budget deficits from 4.6% of GDP to
1.8%
8. Over a
decade the Nigerian economy has been growing at an average rate of around 7% a
year.
9. One of the
things holding back the continent is energy accessibility - once that nut is
cracked (in the form of solar which relies less on expensive infrastructural
projects) then it will be much easier to take advantage of the business
opportunities that exist.
10. Peer-to-peer
banking and mobile banking is becoming established and likely to thrive freeing
up business and development opportunities.
