Can you easily spot a trend in these headlines?
Sadly, these headlines have become the norm in many African states today. It is particularly sickening to hear them day after day to the extent we have adopted the saying, ‘It is what it is.’
Which begs the question, ‘Who is to blame?’ The problem is deeply rooted to the extent we celebrate our leaders for doing the bare minimum in community development as they loot public funds. Who will hold them accountable? What’s the solution? How do we move from this disaster show? Do we elect new leaders to represent us? That’s a good idea, but been there, done that and sadly, it’s the same narrative. By electing new people, we are only solving half the problem.
What will it take to change the fate of Africa? I believe the change must come from us; the young Africans. Now that we’re outsiders to the traditional politics, we must effect change through commerce.
Businesses have an ability to change people’s lives. It was during the pandemic that this was made clear to me. Here at home, Safaricom waivered transaction costs on M-Pesa to make life easier for people. Alibaba on the other hand, donated the first batch of surgical masks to Kenya as a measure to curb the spread of the virus. Gravity Payments increased their minimum wage to $70k per year, to raise the living standard of their employees, and still managed to report a profit. These are just but a few scenarios that demonstrate how businesses have stepped up for people.
If young people accept to join or build companies that are honest, people centric and impact-driven; then it is possible to change the African narrative. It’s time to build our continent, build cultures that are progressive; because no one is coming to build it for us.
Technology has gifted the young people of Africa an opportunity like no other. We are in the early years of the digital revolution, and if we take advantage of this time and build for ourselves and coming generations, then the future is bright. As a young person myself, I do not want to be just a statistic. I want to be part of this revolution. I want to write my own history the best way I can.
Myself, in my happy place
As a young, passionate and talented video producer, my goal is to document and tell authentic and powerful stories of Africa during this time of technological revolution. What more could fuel such a passion if not a space that helps to nurture it? There are amazing things happening in our continent. Allow me to share with you the one that is going to blow your minds.
Early this year, a friend shared with me about Impact Africa Network, a startup studio on a mission to ensure young talented Africans have a chance at participating in the digital transformation of Africa as creators and owners. I felt compelled by this mission and desired to be part of such a support structure for young people. As fate had it, I am currently one of the thriving young Innovation Fellows, an opportunity I am grateful for.
Mark Karake, our founder and CEO, has offered me an opportunity to immerse myself in building the future. I have been given the opportunity to spearhead storytelling for start-ups that solve real African problems.
Part of what makes the fellowship unique is the access to mentors who accelerate your learning journey. Nevertheless, I’ve been given a platform to interact with the world’s best storytellers like Jeffrey Katzenberg and Jason Russel through fireside chats.
At the core of what we do, we believe in building human first companies. What does human first mean? These are businesses that are built to offer support and value to their customers and workforce rather than exploiting both, for the benefit of few people at the top. The only way we can change this continent is by changing people’s mindsets. Our efforts might seem small but so did every revolutionary idea in the past; the wheel, Christianity, democracy, the internet, Bitcoin just to mention a few.
We, the African youth, are resilient, focused and believe that it’s possible to change Africa’s fate, one story at a time.
I’m enjoying every mile of the journey.
Vive l’afrique.
