Africa is not a problem to be solved but an opportunity to be seized

Africa is often portrayed as a continent plagued by poverty, conflict, and disease. However, this narrative ignores the diversity, resilience, and potential of its people and cultures. Africa is not a problem to be solved but an opportunity to be seized. In this blog post, I will explore some of the reasons why Africa is a land of opportunity for investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

First, Africa has a young and growing population that is eager to learn, work, and create. According to the United Nations, Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050, reaching 2.5 billion people. More than half of them will be under 25 years old. This means that Africa will have the largest and youngest workforce in the world, with a huge demand for education, skills, and services. This also means that Africa will have a vibrant consumer market, with millions of people looking for quality products and experiences.

Second, Africa has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that inspires creativity and innovation. Africa is home to more than 2,000 languages and ethnic groups, each with its own history, traditions, and values. Africa is also the birthplace of humanity and civilization, with a legacy of art, music, literature, and science that spans millennia. Africa’s cultural diversity is a source of strength and inspiration for its people, who are constantly adapting and inventing new ways of solving problems and expressing themselves.

Third, Africa has abundant natural resources that can be harnessed for sustainable development. Africa has 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 10% of the world’s oil reserves, and 8% of the world’s natural gas reserves. Africa also has vast renewable energy potential, with abundant solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal resources. Africa’s natural resources can be used to power its industrialization, diversification, and modernization, while also protecting its environment and biodiversity.

What if the subsidy on PMS and other petroleum products is now used on food?

This is a question that many Nigerians and Africans have been asking in the wake of the recent fuel price hike and food shortages in the continent. The government has argued that the subsidy on petrol and other petroleum products was unsustainable and wasteful, and that removing it would free up funds for other sectors, such as health, education, and infrastructure. But what if the subsidy was redirected to food instead?

Food is a basic necessity for human survival, and yet many Nigerians struggle to afford it. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation rose to 21.03% in August 2023, the highest level since 2017. The rising cost of food has been driven by factors such as insecurity, climate change, exchange rate fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions. As a result, many households have been forced to cut down on their food consumption, or resort to cheaper and less nutritious alternatives.

The impact of food insecurity on the well-being of Nigerians and in Africa cannot be overstated. Hunger and malnutrition can lead to poor health outcomes, reduced productivity, lower educational attainment, and increased poverty. According to the World Food Programme, Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world, with 10.5 million children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. Moreover, food insecurity can also fuel social unrest and violence, as people become desperate and frustrated.

Therefore, it is imperative that the government takes urgent steps to address the food crisis in Nigeria. One possible solution is to use the subsidy on PMS and other petroleum products to subsidize food instead. This would mean that the government would reduce the price of food items by paying part of the cost to the producers or distributors. This would make food more affordable and accessible for consumers, especially the poor and vulnerable.

The benefits of subsidizing food are manifold. First, it would improve the food security and nutrition status of millions of Nigerians, thereby enhancing their health and well-being. Second, it would stimulate the agricultural sector and create more jobs and income for farmers and agro-processors. Third, it would reduce the dependence on imported food and save foreign exchange for the country. Fourth, it would ease the pressure on household budgets and increase consumer spending and demand. Fifth, it would foster social stability and peace by reducing hunger-induced grievances and conflicts.

Of course, subsidizing food is not without its challenges and drawbacks. For one thing, it would require a huge amount of public funds that could otherwise be used for other purposes. For another thing, it would entail a complex and efficient system of targeting, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure that the subsidy reaches the intended beneficiaries and does not leak to middlemen or corrupt officials. Furthermore, it would pose a risk of creating market distortions and disincentives for private sector investment and innovation in the food industry.

Therefore, before implementing such a policy, the government would need to conduct a careful cost-benefit analysis and consult with various stakeholders, including farmers, traders, consumers, civil society groups, and development partners. The government would also need to complement the subsidy with other measures to address the root causes of food insecurity, such as improving security, infrastructure, storage facilities, extension services, credit access, input supply, quality standards, and market information.

In conclusion, using the subsidy on PMS and other petroleum products to subsidize food is a potential option to tackle the food crisis in Nigeria. However, it is not a silver bullet that can solve all the problems in the sector. It requires careful planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure that it achieves its objectives and does not create unintended consequences.

These are just some of the reasons why Africa is not a problem to be solved but an opportunity to be seized. Africa is a continent of hope, promise, and possibility. It is a continent that deserves respect, recognition, and partnership. It is a continent that can shape its own destiny and contribute to the global community.