The Story

The journey to Remake Africa was initiated in 2011 by a critical question: “Can Africa Claim the 21st Century?” This question was inspired by a report authored by more than 50 experts on African development, alongside institutions such as the African Development Bank (AFDB), the African Economic Research Council (AERC), the World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The report on Africa at the turn of the century highlighted that Africa was the poorest region in the world, with average real income per capita (PPP) one-third less than that of South Asia and declining average output per capita. Africa’s share in global trade was less than 2%, with exports being largely undiversified and primary-product-based. The continent was highly aid-dependent and heavily indebted, with net transfers from foreign assistance averaging 9% of GDP and accounting for almost half of public spending. Foreign debt represented over 80% of GDP in net present value, while savings had declined to 13% of GDP. Despite low investment levels, the continent faced high inequality and social exclusion, with more than 40% of the population living on less than $1 a day, and average income at $0.65 a day in PPP terms. Access to health, education, and infrastructure was limited, with 200 out of every 1,000 children dying before the age of 5, and more than 2 million children dying annually before their first birthday due to poor nutrition. Over 200 million Africans lacked access to health services, over 140 million African youth were illiterate, and less than one-quarter of Africa’s poor, rural females attended primary school. The report also indicated low social spending, with an average of $50 spent on education compared to $11,000 in more developed countries. The continent also faced severe health challenges, with 165 out of every 100,000 people dying annually from malaria and 70% of the world’s cases of HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Africa was plagued by conflicts, with at least one in five Africans living in a country severely disrupted by ongoing war at the time.

By 2021, 21 years into the 21st century, with nearly a quarter of the century gone, despite some progress, the data indicated that Africa’s pace of advancement was not aligned with the velocity required to claim the 21st century. This recognition underscored the need for coordinated state and non-state action. Remake Africa Consulting was founded to enable such action, focusing on leveraging Africa’s journey, optimising the continent’s strengths, mitigating vulnerabilities, harnessing global opportunities, and navigating global risks to make the 21st century the African century.