The Carnival of African Entrepreneuring

There seems to be four broad schools of African economic development theory. The first, and rather antiquated theory, revolves around infrastructure. This was the basis of the World Bank's theory for much of its existence and resulted in such unsuccessful ventures as major dam and power plants. The second theory is based on corruption, shared by a broad group from Paul Wolfowitz to George Ayittey, which claims that 'Africa's begging bowl is leaky', therefore there is no reason to give more until the holes are patched.

Third, and most fashionable, a la Bono and Millenium Development Goals (MDG's) is that Africa simply needs more aid. Finally, and perhaps most interestingly, is the theory hosted by the African digerati, the organizers of the TED Global conference, and most of the blogosphere that I am a part of, that Africa is in need of creative entrepreneurs to help make their communities wealthy.

Though any approach to development clearly needs elements of all of the above tactics, it seems to me that the final approach is the position in most need of strengthening. As a contribution to this camp, I I wrote a short piece on the Emerging Cameroonian Film Industry, which made it onto the Carnival of African Enterprising (3rd Edition) hosted by White African. The Carnival is a wonderful initiative to summons the power of bloggers to find fascinating entrepreneurs and untapped ideas for making Africa a better place. Taking an entrepreneurial focus to development is also the most creative and interesting of the development theory strains. In what other discourse do you find a contributor like Tunde Noibi, founder of Afrokicks, a company that makes African-flag themed shoes! I always loved the Cameroonian flag, so I'm waiting to see on a pair of kicks I can wear around.

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5 Comments:

  • Very cool Josh. Glad to see that you brought in the arts to this creative opp.

    Clearly, I think the takeaway message is that not only are young Africans utilizing new technologies to be Entrepreneurs, but capturing the culture and social issues of the continent via-something their parents, grandparents and ancestors have for thousands of years...storytelling. Only now, we have the privilege to watch them on YouTube. I'd be interested to submit something about Kizito for the next Africa Carnival.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:23 AM  

  • Love the blog, Josh. Keep up the good work. I look forward to meeting you at Fletcher in a few weeks. Take care.

    By Blogger AV, at 5:59 PM  

  • my current thinking is that private/public partnerships are the way to go for development.

    love your ideas and your blog.

    By Blogger lu, at 8:48 AM  

  • Song of Deborah


    ...They chose new gods; then was war in the gates... Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song... the LORD made you have dominion over the mighty... Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of Justice against the mighty... Have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two? So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land rest forty years. Judges 5.

    Deborah Palfrey deserves the Pemberton Award for Clean Governance.
    Palfrey list is like the Black Book of 1918.
    That Trial of the century is deleted from all books.
    The list there had 47000 names.
    The list here has 46000 phone bills.
    The listed are not womenizers, machos or ordinary sinners.
    They are power brokers, gay lutheran shock n awe blitzkrieg agitators of all wars and all panics.
    These wretches are one dirty cover to the real pimps deep undercover.
    A curse on the kingpins, Justice Charles Darling then and Judge Adolph Kramer Kessler now.

    Noel Pemberton-Billing
    Trial of the Century 1918

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:41 AM  

  • this sounds great... but i think all the entrepreneur companies have done this thing.

    By Anonymous Chelsea Larosa, at 9:31 PM  

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