President Dr Ruto, has taken every available opportunity to advocate for the issues dear to the African continent – debt relief or suspension, adequate and innovative climate change financing mechanisms and review of the world order in matters membership to international apex bodies like the United Nations Security Council, and the inclusion of permanent membership slots for the African block countries, among others. The call for more positive attention to the African continent has of late been supported by President Biden of the USA and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and as such, the president is indeed making progress in pushing for the African agenda.
Secondly, the president’s action and campaign call for the awakening of the African Renaissance dream which has been in the works for some time. African Renaissance is the concept and ideology which holds that one day, the African people shall overcome current challenges that impede their growth and development, and thereby achieve the much needed cultural, scientific and economic revival and growth. There are many reasons why all of us should believe in the potential for Africa to grow and become a super continent. First, Africa (30.32 million km2, and 8000 km from North to South and 7400 km2 from East to West) is bigger by far than Europe (10.53 million km2), China (9.597 million km2) and USA (9.834 million km2) combined. This provides land, soils and space upon which agriculture, industrialization, manufacturing and industrialization can be undertaken, bearing in mind that Africa has 60 percent of all global available arable land.
Secondly, Africa holds 90 percent of all available global raw materials reserves in all sectors, in addition, it has a high potential and presence of minerals needed for manufacturing and industrialization. It has 40 percent of global gold reserve, 33 percent of diamond reserve, 80 percent of Coltan reserve – mineral key in electronics and telephone manufacturing, 60 percent of Cobalt reserve – mineral used in battery manufacturing. In addition to these minerals, Africa is rich in oil, natural gas, Iron ore, Manganese and wood to support manufacturing and industrialization, and Kenya has these resources in huge quantities. Thirdly, African population, mostly young people, is 1.432 billion people in 2023, while Chinese one is 1.455 billion, and by 2050, African young population will hit 2.5 billion people, implying that Africa is the continent of the future, and industries and factories should be placed in Africa than in any other continent. Dr Giti is an urban management, public – private partnerships (PPP) and environment specialist. mutegigiti@gmail.com , @danielgiti
Dr. Daniel Mutegi Giti 