Nayé Anna BATHILY’s Post

Africa United: Addressing the Continent's Challenges Through Collective Action #thoughtfultuesday #myafricamycontinent As I recently watched a captivating documentary on the challenges facing the people of Guinea-Conakry, I couldn't help but reflect on the broader challenges that plague many African nations. The video, titled "Guinea-Conakry: Life on the Edge | Deadliest Journey," produced by "Best Documentary," paints a sobering picture of the poor living conditions & lack of basic infrastructure that the citizens of Guinea-Conakry are forced to endure. Sadly, this scenario is not unique to Guinea-Conakry; it is a reality that resonates across the African continent. Despite being blessed with an abundance of natural resources, many African countries are plagued by systemic corruption, poor governance & a failure to provide their citizens with the most fundamental of public services. From inadequate healthcare & education to the lack of reliable water & electricity infrastructure, the citizens of Africa are often left feeling like fourth-class citizens in their own countries. The frustration & desperation of the people have led to a growing number of protests, with the recent protests (planned) in Nigeria being a prime example of the public's demand for better living conditions & economic opportunities. Time for Decisive Action It is high time for the African Union (AU) to rise up & take decisive action to address these longstanding challenges. The organization must be held accountable for its role in ensuring the well-being & prosperity of the African people. A good starting point would be to convene an extraordinary meeting of African presidents, heads of state & other key leaders to assess the current state of poverty & develop concrete, actionable plans to improve the lives of the continent's citizens. One critical step would be the institutionalization of anti-corruption courts to hold public service workers accountable for any breaches of their duties & ethical responsibilities. Additionally, the AU must ensure that its policies & initiatives, particularly those related to environmental, social, & governance (ESG) factors, are not only well-designed but also robustly implemented by its member states. The time for excuses & inaction has passed. African leaders must be held accountable for their responsibilities to their citizens. By working together, the nations of Africa can unleash the true potential of the continent & create a future where all Africans can thrive, rather than merely survive. It is time for Africa to unite & collectively address the challenges that have held the continent back for far too long & agitating the citizens. Let us come together, pool our resources & expertise & forge a path towards a more prosperous, equitable & just Africa for all. What steps do you think the AU should prioritize to address these challenges? Share your thoughts below! ~ D.K.O #DKOconsulting 📸: Shelagh Murphy (Pexels)

“NESCAFE IS TRASH…” - our Ugandan coffee is way more premium than those husks Just attended a thought-provoking keynote by joseph Muvawala ED of Uganda's National Planning Authority(NPA) , at the #IASP2024 conference. His speech on "Unlocking Africa's strategic future through collaborations & frameworks" was the highlight of the event for me. Here are some key takeaways: 📌 Africa is strategically positioned but not yet truly strategic. We need to develop our own frameworks rather than relying on non-African ones. 📌 We're underutilizing our vast potential - young population, arable land, natural resources. But without proper investment, especially in youth and education, we risk losing our demographic dividend. 📌The importance of "Copy, imitate, innovate" - learning from others but adapting solutions to our context. 📌 The need to connect Africa internally. Our lack of intra-African trade and infrastructure is holding us back. 📌 Regulatory and tax reforms are crucial to encourage investment and savings. 📌 We must address structural issues rather than symptoms. Poverty alleviation programs aren't enough - we need to tackle the root causes. 📌 The role of government should be to support the private sector, not compete with it. Muvawala's call for strategic thinking and action got me thinking. As African professionals, we need to step up and drive the change we want to see. It's time to move from being strategically positioned to truly strategic. Do you think Africa is strategic or just strategically positioned? 🤔

Africa, long stereotyped as a continent plagued by poverty and instability, is experiencing a remarkable transformation. While challenges persist, there are undeniable signs of progress. From economic growth that rivals major Asian economies to democratic advancements and improved governance, a new narrative is emerging. Yet, as the continent celebrates its successes, it must remain vigilant against the threats that could derail its momentum. Africa in Fact is dedicated to shedding light on these issues, empowering decision-makers with the knowledge they need to shape a brighter future: https://lnkd.in/djE-eV4M

In a session hosted by the Kenyan government on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Group's 2024 Annual Meetings, a panel met to discuss how Africa can effectively harness its youthful population to drive sustainable growth and development.     Prof Njuguna Ndung'u, Kenya Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, emphasised the importance of aligning skills development with emerging market opportunities to leverage human capital effectively.    William Asiko, The Rockefeller Foundation Vice President for Africa, highlighted the potential for carbon credits to become #Kenya's next significant export by 2030, creating numerous jobs. However, he stressed the need to develop the right skills to seize this opportunity, particularly in artificial intelligence and carbon markets.    Martha T.M. Phiri, PhD, Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Division at the African Development Bank, emphasised the critical need for a healthy, productive, and innovative workforce for Africa’s transformation. “A workforce that can ensure food security, drive power plants, enhance transport connectivity, and foster industrialization is crucial.”    Read more about the strategies discussed to harness Africa's demographic dividend: https://bit.ly/4bXtQxy #AfDBAM2024

🌍 Africa’s Path to Self-Reliance in a Digital Age 🌍 To navigate the evolving global economy, Africa must prioritize self-reliance by fostering intra-African trade rooted in trust, transparency, and accountability. The digital era offers unprecedented opportunities to drive transformative change across the continent, accelerating initiatives that can uplift economies and empower our communities. But achieving this vision goes beyond technology it requires patriotism, functional markets, and fair policies that work for everyone. Let’s create an Africa that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and resilience. Together, we can shape a future where Africa is a global economic leader. 💪🏽African Union African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) UNDP Zambia YALI Africa African Union Youth Division #AfricaRising #DigitalTransformation #IntraAfricaTrade #SustainableDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #Transparency #Patriotism

🌍 Senegal's Vision 2050: A Bold Path to Sustainable Growth, Led by Its Youthful Leadership 🌍 Senegal is undergoing an inspiring transformation with Vision 2050, and it's not just the country's strategies that are forward-thinking—Senegal is also being led by a young and dynamic president, Macky Sall. Known for his modern vision and emphasis on youth empowerment, Sall has been instrumental in shaping Senegal's future by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and economic reforms. Key Pillars of Vision 2050: 🔑 Youth Empowerment: Senegal, part of Sub-Saharan Africa, has one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 60% under the age of 25. President Sall's leadership strongly emphasizes investing in this demographic to drive innovation and leadership for the future. 🔑 Sustainable Resource Management: With offshore oil production set to begin in 2024, President Sall is ensuring that Senegal benefits from its natural resources through sustainable and transparent practices. 🔑 Economic Decentralization: His administration focuses on balanced growth across Senegal's regions, addressing inequalities and promoting development in rural areas. 🔑 Social Justice & Equality: With a commitment to fairness, Sall's government is pushing for a more inclusive and equitable society. Under President Macky Sall’s leadership, Senegal is making a name for itself in the global arena, preparing to harness its youthful energy, emerging oil wealth, and a strong vision for sustainable development. 🚀 Senegal is on the path to becoming a true leader in Africa’s future! #Senegal2050 #YouthLeadership #MackySall #SustainableDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #OffshoreOil #EconomicTransformation #AfricanGrowth #FutureOfAfrica #VisionaryLeadership

African leaders are converging In Kenya's capital, Nairobi for the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA21) summit, a crucial two-day event aimed at tackling development challenges across the continent. The summit seeks to foster discussions and initiatives geared towards fostering prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economies in Africa, a region grappling with various socio-economic hurdles. https://lnkd.in/emkuqy_B

New York Sept. 2024: Just wrapped up a powerful panel discussion on Cross-Continental Leadership and the Historical Role of Africa: Driving the Shift Towards an Equitable Economy. It was an honor to join renowned sector gurus from Kenya and Senegal for this crucial conversation. While Africa is experiencing remarkable growth, much of it remains concentrated in urban centers. Even within these cities, only a small fraction of the population is actively engaged in driving this transformation. In rural areas, the growth potential is immense—fertile land, human capital, and untapped opportunities abound. Yet, the reluctance to invest, often driven by perceived risks, continues to hinder progress. If we are serious about creating an equitable economy, we must tackle these barriers head-on and channel resources into our rural communities. 🌱 #Leadership #Equity #AfricaRising #RuralDevelopment #SustainableGrowth #TEST #Tanzania #Kenya #Senegal

African leaders are converging In Kenya's capital, Nairobi for the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA21) summit, a crucial two-day event aimed at tackling development challenges across the continent. The summit seeks to foster discussions and initiatives geared towards fostering prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economies in Africa, a region grappling with various socio-economic hurdles. https://lnkd.in/eX7-csHP

The Missing Piece: Unpacking Responsibility in Africa's Transformation "Responsibility is the missing piece in the whole system of Africa, personally and continentally." Olajuwon Onofua, CPLP This profound statement by Mr. Ujagbe Onofua resonates deeply, highlighting a crucial element often overlooked in Africa's development discourse. Responsibility, or its lack thereof, permeates every facet of African society, from governance to agriculture, education, and beyond. In governance, Africa often suffers from a lack of accountability. Leaders prioritize personal interests over national development, perpetuating corruption and inequality. This has led to widespread disillusionment among citizens. Embracing responsibility would mean leaders prioritize transparent decision-making, effective anti-corruption measures, and citizen-centered policy making. Agriculture, the backbone of many African economies, faces challenges due to inefficient resource management, lack of investment in research and development, and insufficient infrastructure. By taking responsibility, African leaders and stakeholders can ensure sustainable farming practices, climate-resilient crop management, and fair market access for farmers. Africa's education sector struggles with inadequate funding, outdated curricula, and inefficient teacher training. Responsibility in education would lead to accessible quality education, relevant skills development, and cultural preservation and exchange. This would empower future generations to drive Africa's transformation. African healthcare systems face inadequate infrastructure, brain drain, and inefficient resource allocation. Responsibility in healthcare would ensure accessible primary healthcare, effective disease prevention and control, and investment in medical research and development. Security challenges in Africa stem from poor governance, ethnic and religious tensions, and external interference. Responsibility in security would mean conflict resolution through dialogue, community-led peacebuilding initiatives, and regional cooperation and intelligence sharing. Mr. Ujagbe Onofua's quote serves as a wake-up call. Africa's transformation requires a collective shift in mindset, acknowledging responsibility as the foundation for progress. By embracing responsibility, Africans can hold leaders accountable, drive sustainable development, and empower future generations. The time for change is now. Let us reclaim Africa's narrative, integrating responsibility into every aspect of our lives. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on responsibility in Africa's development. Register for the Afrovanguard Summit 2024 to be part of the solution. Together, let's forge a brighter Africa and Take #ResponsibilityNow