Africa Rising: What does it Mean for African Citizens?

The past decade has seen African economies registering headline gross domestic product growth rate. Will GDP growth lift Africa’s bottom pyramid populace which is a majority of its citizens? Even more, will GDP growth effectively contain the risks imposed by climate change? The paper observes that too many of Africa’s citizens remain ensnared in poverty despite the du jour GDP growth. African countries are also the most vulnerable to climate risk in terms of adaptation and disaster preparedness. The article argues that Africa’s growth remains fleeting and fragile as long as the continent endures adverse assimilation in global trade, finance, and multi-lateral systems. Relatedly, possible revenue from Africa’s vast natural resources is lost to various forms of tax evasion and corruption within the extractive industry. The status quo holds mainly because African ruling and managerial elites have partnered capital.