22/04/15

Why democracy doesn’t work for African growth

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Copyright: Nyani Quarmyne / Panos

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The narrative that depicts Africa as a place that needs aid to survive is not only wrong, but also a waste of money for donor countries, says Robert Kabushenga, CEO of The Vision Group in Uganda, a multimedia organisation active in East Africa that covers development and international affairs, as well as lifestyle, entertainment and regional news.
 
He believes Africa is ready to become a major player in the global economy and does need money to realise its big projects. However, in this interview, he says democratic Western countries are failing to assist this process because their aid programmes are often too entangled in social issues and human rights, and so are ineffective at backing business.
 
Kabushenga explains that the straightforward approach taken by countries such as China, which only ask for their money back in due time and keep internal political issues out of contracts, are better suited to supporting Africa’s economic growth.