Talent galore: Plenty to be positive about Africa’s future if you know where to look

Across the continent, we are seeing turmoil, disillusionment, and dismay from students, journalists, protestors, analysts and artists. As a series of issues and crises take center stage, from South Africa, to Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya, we are presented with a unique opportunity to reflect on the role of the creative sector, the state of policy making and the status of the ‘Africa Rising’ narrative.

“We can’t entrepreneur our way around bad leadership”

Ethiopia declared a state of emergency following almost a year of protests; in South Africa violent protests between students and the police over university fees have seen public universities grind to a halt; in Nigeria disillusionment has taken hold; and in Kenya proposed legislation has seen the creative community up in arms over censorship.

These scenes paint a very different picture from that of a continent on the rise, and yet in the realms of trendsetting and thought leadership, the continent is changing rapidly.

Last year we published a post about how African business leader and AS+A speaker Ali Mufuruki in 2014 encouraged critical examination of the ‘Africa Rising’ narrative; urging us not to mistake hope for achievement. The post also referred to how leading African technologist Ory Okolloh aptly said in 2015 “we can’t entrepreneur our way around bad leadership.” These remarks don’t seek to trivialize the exceptional achievements we have seen across this continent, but recognize the yawning gap between those achievements and the fact that they have been accomplished despite limitations and roadblocks created at the state level.

Although we see creators and thought leaders innovating against all odds, they are not exempt from the systemic deficits that have come to characterize much of the public sector and an often-unworkable status quo.

Africa is far from reeling

In a piece published by The New York Times two days ago, the author suggests that ‘Africa Reeling’ may be replacing ‘Africa Rising.’ The piece tries to reconcile whether economic progress will take a backseat to political unrest, and whether the economic growth in various countries across the continent (and the subsequent enthusiasm) can be sustained. From the perspective of the representation industry, and more broadly speaking about the creative economy, Africa is far from reeling.

From our standpoint as talent agency and speaker bureau, we witness so many incredible innovations in technology, music, business, media, and fashion (amongst other industries) that it is almost difficult to keep up. Incredible pan-African projects are underway; engagement between Africans on the continent and the African diaspora is at its peak; and despite political turmoil, international thought leaders are still looking closely at developments on the continent, and taking note.

From the perspective of the representation industry, and more broadly speaking about the creative economy, Africa is far from reeling

There are challenges, without a doubt. Within the industry, this means ensuring that African speakers and artists are invited to share their insights, and are adequately remunerated for doing so. At the state level, it means coping with unrest and demanding that governments acknowledge the value and importance of the creative economy.

The pressing question is how can we bridge the gap, and promote a dialogue between the creative sector and governments; how do we ensure that the right policy and infrastructure is developed to encourage and harness innovation across the continent rather than stifle it?

George Issaias is the Founder and MD of “African Speakers and Artists”. The opinions expressed here are his.