Africa"s Bustling Economy Amid Civil Wars and Commotion

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If there is ever a place in the entire world where people juggle joy, tears, comradeship, entrepreneurship, vicious political beliefs and death, it is in Africa.
Everything is found here.
Diverse cultures, deadly civil commotions, divided societies, tribal affiliations and a vibrant bustling economy that almost fools the rest of the world that it is not stable.
Inside Africa; in the grassroots, change is already taking place.
Technology has found itself in the heart of the remotest parts of the African villages, in primary schools and local government authority offices.
Finally some sort of accountability can be achieved.
Women focus groups and banks who work with them have erased the all-time cycle of poverty, which once threatened to wipe out our people through starvation and hopelessness.
It is simply amazing.
These little milestones of change, have transformed the African common man, who finally has hope, of a continued vibrant economy for the future of his children.
This story of development, advancement, potential and profitability has attracted Chinese investors who have so far traded with Africa for over $150 billion, as at 2011 reports and is thus one of its largest trading partners.
Africa is the next global economic hub, according to Ernst& Young, a business consulting firm based in the US.
Ten years ago, back in 2000 the western world had deemed Africa as the hopeless continent, because of the political problems in countries like Somalia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zimbabwe, among other hunger stricken nations across the continent.
But today, behold the sun rests its beam on Africa.
Its glow is now warm enough to invite back the same economists that had doomed it to fail.
Africa has indeed grown in leaps and bounds.
Africa's foreign debt has reduced by 25% and its annual inflation averages about 8%.
Foreign investments grew by 27% as at 2011 growth projections, according to a UN report.
There are still political challenges in parts of North Africa, which bring down overall growth projections.
Mobile phone usage and services is now accessible to over 600 million people in the continent.
A company like Vodafone(SAFARI COM) services in Kenya has revolutionized the use of mobile phone money transfer across the East African community.
There's been an increase in bilateral African investment, which has accounted for about 18% of foreign direct investment according to Ernst &Young which has seen young entrepreneurs in the region benefit hugely.
Africa's economic growth has been driven by factors such as discovery of natural resources, economic reforms, resolved armed conflicts that have encouraged a better business atmosphere.
There's also been remarkable governance and political stability; from dedicated heads of states and business leaders that have ensured that overall progress is not compromised.
Urbanization is another major factor that has led to urban consumerism and settlement that has seen more than 40% of Africans living in cities.
According to the Wall Street Journal Africa's middle class urban population is at 60 million.
However, it is not yet time to rejoice.
Tourism in Kenya and Egypt has subsided, due to political resurgences and threats from external countries like Somalia, who wage war on Kenya.
HIV and AIDS, may have drastically gone down, but some parts of the continent still need to eradicate this menace, especially where women trade sex for commodities and commercial purposes.
Many lower middle class people still live in the $2 a day bracket.
Life is still a constant struggle.
Despite these challenges, Africa's economic growth is progressive.
What is required now is creation of jobs and markets, for our talents and entrepreneurship, for future sustainability from the shackles of poverty.
Africa is optimistic that we are the change we believe in, the change we want to see for our children and generations thereafter.
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