Chatter about the promise of Africa is not new. Outside economists have been reminding us about relatively high GDP growth rates; China conspiracy theorists keep us informed about who is buying up the continent’s natural resources; and global aid agencies are constantly rewriting their strategies. What is new is the rise of a new generation of Africans that is actually making things happen.
Since my visit to Africa last October, I have had some recent touch points with its emerging startup ecosystem. First, through my involvement in the LIONS@FRICA (Liberalizing Innovation Opportunity Nations) Partnership launched to enhance and deepen the startup and innovation ecosystems of targeted fast-growing economies on the continent. With partners like Microsoft, Intel, Nokia, the African Development Bank, the U.S. Department of State, Global Entrepreneurship Week, DEMO and others, what we started last year is set to be all about action not just words.
To read the original article: Its Time for Startup Africa - Entrepreneurship.org
