Where Hope and Opportunity Meet

Did you know that over the past decade (2001- 2010), six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies were in Africa? Countries from Ghana in the west to Mozambique in the south have demonstrated consistent growth and the trend is expected to continue.  A number of factors account for this growth, including technological innovations, political stability, trade and investment. For example, according to the World Bank, malaria takes $12 billion out of Africa’s GDP every year. But thanks to more and better technology that allows for affordable treatment and mosquito-treated bed nets, death rates have fallen by 20%. Trade and investment are also on the rise- in 2010, total foreign direct investment was more than $55 billion—five times what it was a decade earlier, and much more than Africa receives in aid.

So it makes perfect sense that Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, hosted an Opportunity: Africa conference last week. The event, held in Wilmington, DE, on January 18, connected Delaware residents with some of the nation’s leading authorities on sustainable development and trade with Africa. Bread for the World and other participants examined how businesses, faith communities, and individuals in the state can benefit from engagement with Africa.

The conference reflected Sen. Coon’s own commitment to improving the lives of people around the world – a commitment inspired by an early experience studying abroad in Kenya. For example, he is a leading advocate for malaria prevention and serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Working Group on Malaria.

The Africa of today offers good opportunities for U.S. investment. In his welcome address, Coons said: “Whether it is businesses taking advantage of fast-growing new markets, local faith-based organizations engaging in humanitarian work, or individuals interested in promoting development, Delawareans have shown themselves to be extraordinarily interested in engaging in Africa. I organized this conference to help them do that and to help make sure Delawareans have the information and resources they need to connect with tremendous opportunities for engagement afforded by the continent."

In his keynote address, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah noted: “Robust growth rates, a new commitment to health and agriculture, and significant advances in science and technology are creating new opportunities in development on the African continent.”

Administrator Shah argued that these gains should be supported and sustained by a U.S. commitment to long-term investments. Making resources available through well-planned programs such as Feed the Future will enable African countries to develop their agricultural infrastructure in sustainable ways and diversify their economies. Feed the Future aims to free 18 million people, more than 7 million of them children, from poverty and malnutrition. The 1,000 Days initiative takes advantage of a unique window of opportunity – the 1,000 days between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday – to create a healthier future for an entire generation. This is because the right nutrition during this period is critical to a child’s ability to grow, learn, and ultimately rise out of poverty.

Faustine Wabwire is foreign assistance policy analyst at Bread for the World Institute.