Africa – A Continent of Hope

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June 7, 2005—World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz says the world faces an historic opportunity to help Africa climb out of the poverty afflicting millions of people and turn into a continent of hope.

Wolfowitz says achieving change is possible in Africa with increased aid from the international community as well as action by African nations.

The World Bank president’s comments came as he prepared to embark on a week long visit to Africa, beginning on Sunday, June 12.

Wolfowitz, who has already declared Africa as the Bank’s number one priority, will visit Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Rwanda and South Africa to see and hear firsthand from African leaders and local communities how the continent can make greater strides in reducing the poverty that afflicts hundreds of millions of its people.

“I think this may be an extraordinary moment in history where Africa can become a continent of hope and the Bank can play a role in that. So in terms of substantive priorities, it’s number one,” he says.

While acknowledging the diversity of the African continent, Wolfowitz says it’s morally wrong that Africa has not, as a whole, progressed in the same way as other places around the world. 

“Leaving people behind in this world is a formula for failure – for us all. A clear message from modern history is that this is a small world and that both the benefits of progress and the pain of despair, can be felt globally.

“Believing that Africa’s plight has no effect on the rest of the world is not only naive, it’s morally wrong.”

However Wolfowitz also cautions giving more development aid to Africa is not the only answer.

He says while he’s hopeful the July G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland - of the world’s richest nations - will result in an increased commitment in aid for Africa, it’s a mistake to focus solely on aid.

“One of the reasons I think it may be a moment of opportunity is that so many of the African leaders I’ve spoken to recognize that responsibility starts at home,” he says.

“They understand some of the problems of the past have been failures by African Governments and I’m impressed at how many of them seem to be determined to learn those lessons. 

“I feel African leaders are talking in a very different way – on critical issues like corruption and inclusion – to what was said ten years ago, and that is why I believe we face an historic opportunity to help.”

Wolfowitz says more action also needs to be taken to improve the investment climate in Africa, especially local investment as a key to boosting trade. 

 During his visit, Wolfowitz will meet leaders from many sectors within each of the four countries – at a political and local level.  In seven days on the African continent, Wolfowitz will see examples of the Bank’s work to improve infrastructure, as well as efforts to mobilize communities to fight poverty, promote education and develop new enterprises.  He’ll also visit medical facilities to see firsthand Africa’s battle with one of the biggest obstacles to development – the spread of HIV/AIDS,

“No single trip can ever hope to encompass all the challenges facing the people of the countries I’m visiting, but I plan to return many times in coming years and I am eager to get started, “Wolfowitz says.