While the countries of North'Afrique are prey to the convulsions of the rebellion, repression and war, the time seems ripe to question the future of the continent. It is precisely the objective of the first CEO Summit organized by the African Times, held on 22 March and London in which occur between the other president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, President of Gabon, Ali Bongo and British Foreign Minister, William Hague.
The summit addressed issues critical to Africa. The economic potential of this continent of 860 million consumers is enormous. It has discovered oil and gas in Uganda and Tanzania. Local businesses are flourishing, so much so that the Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote - who participates in the summit - could become the 51th richest man in the world by investing in African markets for sugar, flour and cement .
Foreign investments are also beginning to flow. Improving standards of governance is essential to the prosperity of the private sector. When doubt hangs over the implementation of contracts, when the authorities have no legal weight, when the country's infrastructure is inadequate - and these are recurring problems - is an effective government is sorely lacking.
Across Africa, investment synonymous with prosperity await the establishment of adequate infrastructure, such as telecommunications and finance. Progress can also be done with people healthier and literate. When governments are unable to eradicate corruption and to consolidate their tax base, they can provide stability and certainty needed by investors.
The diversity of schemes in Africa also highlights one of the defining issues of our time. If the economic future of the world must be a variant of capitalism, one can however wonder about the future shape of the latter. Despite all its problems of corruption, Kenya is trying to develop a model based on free expression, a market economy and political system capable of meeting a middle class of increasingly affluent.
Ethiopia, for example, offers an alternative model of development. The economy is heavily dominated by the state, which tolerates no opposition. Its recent growth rate, under the supervision of the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, is impressive, but there is every reason to wonder whether such growth can continue, knowing that it depends on oil prices upward.
The movements for freedom in North Africa posed once again the fundamental question of whether governments can impose a lasting control as strict. Perhaps, as they are backed by Chinese investment. For if the Indians and the Saudis are not far behind, the Chinese presence is the latest in African development.
A novelty that must deal with two old realities. The first is conflict. The lack of government with a national authority implies that ethnic and tribal conflicts continue to escalate into civil war. The second relates to the misery afflicting Africans, who have faded from the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead.
Africa suffers lasting many problems, but the future has never looked so smiling. The mission of democracies, who are lucky enough to be rich is to assist African countries. Meetings like this summit represents a step in that direction. 
The summit addressed issues critical to Africa. The economic potential of this continent of 860 million consumers is enormous. It has discovered oil and gas in Uganda and Tanzania. Local businesses are flourishing, so much so that the Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote - who participates in the summit - could become the 51th richest man in the world by investing in African markets for sugar, flour and cement .
Foreign investments are also beginning to flow. Improving standards of governance is essential to the prosperity of the private sector. When doubt hangs over the implementation of contracts, when the authorities have no legal weight, when the country's infrastructure is inadequate - and these are recurring problems - is an effective government is sorely lacking.
Across Africa, investment synonymous with prosperity await the establishment of adequate infrastructure, such as telecommunications and finance. Progress can also be done with people healthier and literate. When governments are unable to eradicate corruption and to consolidate their tax base, they can provide stability and certainty needed by investors.
The diversity of schemes in Africa also highlights one of the defining issues of our time. If the economic future of the world must be a variant of capitalism, one can however wonder about the future shape of the latter. Despite all its problems of corruption, Kenya is trying to develop a model based on free expression, a market economy and political system capable of meeting a middle class of increasingly affluent.
Ethiopia, for example, offers an alternative model of development. The economy is heavily dominated by the state, which tolerates no opposition. Its recent growth rate, under the supervision of the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, is impressive, but there is every reason to wonder whether such growth can continue, knowing that it depends on oil prices upward.
The movements for freedom in North Africa posed once again the fundamental question of whether governments can impose a lasting control as strict. Perhaps, as they are backed by Chinese investment. For if the Indians and the Saudis are not far behind, the Chinese presence is the latest in African development.
A novelty that must deal with two old realities. The first is conflict. The lack of government with a national authority implies that ethnic and tribal conflicts continue to escalate into civil war. The second relates to the misery afflicting Africans, who have faded from the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead.
Africa suffers lasting many problems, but the future has never looked so smiling. The mission of democracies, who are lucky enough to be rich is to assist African countries. Meetings like this summit represents a step in that direction.
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