Mr. Alioune Gueye

Chairman and C.EO. of Afrique Challenge

The African continent lives a particular revival in these recent years, which promises a unique geographical reclassification. Yet for many experts, the marginalization of the continent seemed inevitable. This reclassification, the continent owes it first to external dynamics, including better remuneration of its resources and its raw materials, the emergence of new emerging countries on the international scene; relayed and amplified by internal changes previously unmatched. However, will Africa regain the place that it deserves or will it fall again into the throes of marginalization right after the lull of the prices of the raw-materials and oil? As we’re commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the independences in several countries, is Africa is on the right way for the next fifty years?

Introduction

Not so long ago, Africa was presented as the mainland of the curse and sadness. With less than 1 % of foreign direct investment (FDI), less than 1 % of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product), a significant demographic growth, endless conflicts, food crises and recurrent bad weather, the continent appeared on the fringes of globalization that we find it hard to glimpse ways of improvement for the future. Yet since the early 2000s, the trend seems reversed permanently. While the levels of FDI, GDP, and infrastructure are far from reaching those in Asia or Latin America, but their rate of progress is high and sustained is of a good expectation for the continent. In this upward trend are grafted internal dynamics caused by a promising new class of entrepreneurs, politicians, women, but also the African Diaspora, determined to take the continent's destiny in hand.

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