U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent trip to Africa – the third in his presidency – was tall on rhetoric and symbolism, the hallmark of his presidency. But, despite his public reproach to African leaders about their shortcomings to promote democracy and human rights, his visit fell short on tangible deliverables. It also underscored a deeper problem. The United States, along with many other Western countries, are losing their edge just as the subcontinent, notwithstanding its chronic problems of poverty, corruption and insecurity, is showing real signs of promise.
Positive demographic trends are spurring Africa’s emerging economic renaissance. Some African countries, such as Ethiopia, Angola, Botswana and Tanzania, now enjoy some of the highest economic growth rates in the developing world. Although falling commodity prices are taking the wind out of the sails of some of Africa’s top economic performers – Nigeria and Ghana, for example – positive structural and political reforms, along with a decline in violence and conflict, have contributed to this growth.
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