Hank Pellissier: In your opinion, what are SubSaharan Africa's best natural resources?



Michael Lee: My view is that land, sun and water are Africa’s greatest long-term resources.

1) Great rivers like the Congo and Zambezi are essential for Future Hydro-Electric Renewable Energy.

2) Solar energy is growing at a pace and has a huge future for relatively cheap sustainable power for poor and rich communities alike.

3) About two-thirds of the remaining arable land in the world which is yet to be cultivate is in Africa, making Africa the final agricultural frontier.

4) “Sexy” resources like gold and diamonds lead to conflict and social inequality whereas natural resources like sun, water, and land more readily lead to peace.

5) Eco-tourism is going to be huge and Africa supports beautiful eco-systems and animal kingdoms which the world craves.

Do you see Subsaharan Africa's future as being self-determined? Or very influenced by outside nations, especially China?

Michael Lee: A mixture of both. Energy is the key. If renewable power is harassed as mentioned above, Africa can be self-sustaining. China is investing heavily in infrastructure across Africa and settling large numbers of Chinese around these construction projects and I foresee the emergence of a new Sino-Africa race.

Africa in general doesn’t trust the West and seems to trust Russia and China more when choosing investment projects. he role of BRICS is growing. This is a geo-political shift. There is a new scramble for Africa. This time it comes from the East. The more self-sustaining Africa becomes the better or we could be faced with a new round of colonial-style conflict.



Are you worried about overpopulation in SubSaharan Africa?

Michael Lee: No, not at all, There is vast underutilized space right across Africa. The problem is rapid urbanization, not overpopulation. Africa’s youthful demographic is a positive force for change and progress compared to the depopulation trends starting to emerge in some mature economies.

There is a great deal of press about the ingenuity of Subsaharan African use of cell phones. Do you have any comments on that?

Michael Lee: A cellphone is a lifeline to all Africans both for communication and for connection to financial services for the unbanked. MPESA in Kenya is a classic case of a Technology Leap. The coming of broadband to Africa will be hugely influential and beneficial. The cellphone has been the liberating technology for the poor of Africa. It has been transformational. Now we need to get high penetration rates for broadband.

Do you think that Subsaharan Africa is moving towards better leadership? 

Michael Lee: With President Mugabe still President for Life in Zimbabwe and President Zuma setting a very poor governance role model in South Africa? I don’t think so. However, on the plus side, democracy is growing at a healthy rate and augurs well for the long-term future. I see greater federalization of Southern Africa as essential for economies of scale, progress, and better governance, a sort of United States of Southern Africa. There is a threat of Islamic Extremism to the north, destabilizing East Africa, especially Kenya. In the end, Democracy will win in Africa.

Do you see Subsaharan Africa escaping poverty in the future, or being mired it in and perhaps having it get worse?

Michael Lee: It depends on harnessing renewable energy and developing agriculture, as well as on federalization and cross border intra-Africa trade. The potential is there to escape the poverty and conflict trap.

What advice do you have for Subsaharan Africa in terms of economic development?

Michael Lee: Renewable Energy, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure, Federalization, Broadband!

--

IEET is seeking additional articles on Africa, Africa’s future development, and Africa’s use of technology. Send submissions to hank@ieet.org