Dr Kwabena Situ has said Africa’s ability to industrialise within one generation will depend on the continent’s willingness to confront its political, leadership and class-related challenges and build stronger connections between capital, production, nations and generations.
Speaking during his keynote address at the Loveworld Trade and Investment Forum (LTIF), where he addressed the theme “The Trillion Dollar Question: Can Africa Industrialise in One Generation?”, Dr Situ said the question of Africa’s industrialisation was not simply a financial one.
He argued that the continent needs to focus on creating the connections necessary to turn available capital into productive economic activity.
“This is not simply a financial problem. It is a political problem. It is a leadership problem. It is also a class problem,” he said.
According to Dr Situ, addressing Africa’s industrialisation challenge requires a willingness to confront the problems that stand in the way of economic progress.
He identified the connection between capital and production as one of the critical areas requiring attention.
“What do I mean by that? Connecting capital to production. Connecting nations to regions. Connecting one generation to the next, to the next generation,” he said.
Dr Situ said the trillion-dollar question could be answered within one generation if the necessary challenges were confronted and the connections needed to drive development were established.
“The trillion-dollar question can be answered in one generation,” he said.
