The future for Africa - 18th December 2023

Is the future bright for African countries? Akinwumi Adesina, who’s the head of the African Development Bank, definitely thinks so.

Climate change and wars create problems for African countries. But Adesina sees reasons to feel hopeful.

The first reason is because of the continent’s young people. The population’s increasing fast. By 2030, Africa will be home to 1.72 billion people. 500 million people will be between 15 and 35 years old. As well as this, African countries are becoming leaders in digital businesses. Many young Africans already work in this important industry.

Africa has plenty of natural resources, like gas and metals, which they can sell abroad. But for Adesina, just selling these resources isn’t a good idea. To become richer, countries need to process these natural resources before they sell them.

And farming’s another key to success in Africa. Africa has 65 percent of the Earth’s farmland. But methods of farming need to be modernised.

Problems from climate change could stop Africa’s progress. And there’s fighting in some countries. It’s more dangerous to invest money in businesses there. But Adesina’s still positive about the continent’s future. And if you look at the facts, he could be right.