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Africa could be the bread basket of the world - -

By Ozwald Boateng

  • South America
  • The Daily Telegraph
  • Africa could be the bread basket of the world

    A tragedy of far greater proportion than the fall of News International is unfolding on the continent - but there's a solution that would benefit both Britain and Africa, writes Ozwald Boateng.

    "UN
    The UN declaration will be the first in a series of 'food crises' in the Horn of Africa Photo: AFP/GETTY

    A tragedy of far greater proportion than the fall of News International is unfolding on the continent. The East African food crisis is fast becoming the worst in 60 years. "We know from the data that we've been collecting" said Rajiv Shah, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), "that this is the worst drought in 60 years and it's going to have severe consequences. Eleven and a half million people are at real risk of malnutrition and famine already."

    The charities are already on the ground in Somalia making appeals westward for more aid. But let's not forget that the tens of billions that were poured into the region since Live Aid in 1985 have had little positive effect. The reoccurrence, and even worse the surprise of the famine from the Aid Industry viewpoint, is aggravated by the fact that Kenya is enjoying growth rates of 5.7 per cent and Ethiopia has double-digit growth exceeding China's. More tragic still is that there are 5 million trees in Teso, Uganda, the next door country, whose oranges will rot on the ground for want of road or railway to take them to any market, let alone the starving.

    These growth rates prove Cameron's assertion that this is "the moment for Africa". It has reached the tipping point where the cycle of restored growth could turn Africa into an equal player on the global stage. It is estimated that growth will halve the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day. This would make Africa an investment destination of choice not a mere repository of aid; a liability the West let alone the starving millions can no longer afford.

    With 50 per cent of the world's uncultivated arable land and a disproportionate amount of its resources, Africa still only contributes only 2 per cent to global trade and barely trades between its own nations at all. Sudan and Ethiopia alone are the size of India, yet the population of the whole of Africa is smaller. The issues stretch back to an age when empires were built from plundering Africa: gold and other resources were stolen and people were enslaved. But the problem is historic not endemic. The Prime Minister is right to look for a solution - as it will benefit not only Africa but Britain, Africa's historic partner.

    Britain has taken the lead in the development of Africa. Uniquely, the United Kingdom is on target to fulfil the promises made by the G8 to double its aid to developing nations. It has not tied aid to the benefit of its industry. But whilst safeguarding this honourable position, it is time to recognise that it has not worked effectively. The time has come to encourage our industries (once again) to work with Africa - but this time for the benefit of both.