African Economic Growth

What is actually happening and how can

businesses be involved?

Presented at University of Ottawaby Victoria Schorron March 4, 2013

What is the average growth rate (GDP)for sub-Saharan Africa

a) Between -4 and 0.9%

b) Between 1 and 4.9%

c) Between 5 and 9.9%

d) Over 10%

• Homogeneity• Colonial mythos • Illness and disease• Starvation• Africa as National Geographic• Violent tribal conflict• African Big Man and political instability• Unrelenting poverty

Elements of Afro-Pessimism

Foreign Policy Magazine

Note: Malawi and Mozambique have been switched

“… as in previous years, domestic demand supported growth in many countries, and is becoming as important as the export market in some countries. …And with rising incomes and urbanization, the domestic consumer market is growing, becoming an important source of growth.”

- The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2012

Flash Mob in Nairobi (Kenya), #SupportTeamKenya (Olympics)

Kumasi Market (Ghana), Urban Africa News

By Anjali Banthia, CGAP

Nakumatt (Kenya), Nakumatt Facebook

Cameroon’s Reunification Monument, Life In Cameroon Blog

China Daily: Africa, c/o The China in Africa Project

A Traffic Jam in Lagos (Nigeria), Human Wrongs Watch Blog

“Pilot projects can help refine the business case and entry strategy while limiting expenditure and exposure.”

- Eliot Pence, Whitaker Group

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), The Telegraph

“Canadians must get beyond the outdated and dismissive images of Africa, ones that overly focus on Africa’s problems that cause opportunities to be missed.”

- Chris Roberts, The Rising Africa Magazine

“You cannot grow your international position without being present in Africa - that is how the world today works.”

- John Dauth, Australian High Commissioner to the UK

Thank you!

Please feel free to contact me at victoria.schorr@gmail.com

Or follow my blog atwww.facebook.com/victoria.schorr.africa

Maputo (Mozambique), African Digital Art