5 Reasons Africa Cant be ignored. Key: Human Resources,Quality of life,Economic growth, Business Opportunities,Competition.

1. Akingbade Akinfenwa, Managing Partner – Global Synergy, LLC and contribution from Jared Pentz, Member of the World Affairs Council of
Philadelphia, and the United Nations Organization.
FIVE REASONS AFRICA IS TOO GREAT TO IGNORE
Africa’s exponential economic and demographic growth are the basic reasons for the high level of endearment
to the continent. Read through the five reasons below and see why “This is Africa’s time!”

2. Akingbade Akinfenwa, Managing Partner – Global Synergy, LLC and contribution from Jared Pentz, Member of the World Affairs Council of
Philadelphia, and the United Nations Organization.
FIVE REASONS AFRICA IS TOO GREAT TO IGNORE
Africa’s exponential economic and demographic growth are the basic reasons for the high level of endearment
to the continent. Read through the five reasons below and see why “This is Africa’s time!”
0
500,000,000
1,000,000,000
1,500,000,000
2,000,000,000
2,500,000,000
3,000,000,000
3,500,000,000
Today 2100
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1990 2011
According to the United Nations Population Division, Africa will
most likely have the largest increase in demographics over the next
100 years! While these are predictions/projections, they have a
profound consequence for Africa’s development. Look briefly at
the rest of the world: Asia, including India, will plateau in the next
50 years followed by a gradual decline.
Europe will continue to shrink due to an aging population. South
America forecasts increase in population albeit slowly; until about
2050 when it also begins to age. North America will continue to
sustain its population demographics, but Africa will surge.
The current "poor" countries, consisting of many African countries,
are likely to grow more rapidly starting with 663 million today to
approximately 3 billion by 2100. Predictions estimate Africa will
increase four fold, primarily sub-Saharan region, which will
certainly boost the workforce; in addition to the workforce it will
also increase the voting population which could help promote social
and political change.
The key ingredient to the demographic boom in Africa has been the increases in the quality of life.
Decreasing child and maternal mortality, decreasing dependency rate, increasing average life span,
and a decrease in disease are all factors adding to the economic and demographic boom in Africa.
These factors will contribute to a larger and healthier workforce; one African has never experienced.
The World Health Organization's 2012 Global Health report details positive news for Africa. First,
there is a continent wide increase of about 5-15% in safe drinking water, which is still below the
global standard meaning, that number will increase. Second, disease and sickness in Africa has been
coming under control and the WHO expects to finally go on the offensive by 2015. During 1990-
2011, there has been a 40% reduction in child mortality and a decrease in maternal mortality from
800 per 100,000 to 475 per 100,000 which significantly adds to the population. Furthermore, the
average life span in Africa is set to increase by 50% according to the UN Population Division report;
thus a healthier more productive workforce. In the past this workforce has been plagued by the
dependency rate, essentially the number of people living off the government (under 15, over 65)
compared to the number of people in the workforce. Currently,. However, the average age in Africa
is very low, therefore as the under according to the UN report, the dependency rate is high at 80 to
100, meaning there are 100 workers for every 180 people15 age population matures the
dependency rate will drop dramatically.
40% reduction in child mortality and a
decrease in maternal mortality from 800
per 100,000 to 475 per 100,000
African economic growth has been consistent from 2001 to 2013 averaging 5.2 % increase in gross domestic product (GDP). The
UN's African Pulse publication avers that economic growth is positive and activity among African countries is increasing. They project
the region that grew 4.9% in 2013 to grow by 5.3% in 2014 and 5.5% in 2015. These numbers come even when reducing poverty
in the region has been slow but with increased investment, poverty can be reduced at a quicker pace. Currently, the African Economic
Outlook, which published almost identical numbers as the UN, rates seven out of ten African countries as "fastest growing" status.
The fast growing economy plus a growing workforce, currently not even close to full potential, equals tons of business opportunities
coming to Africa.
The upcoming population boom of Africa could potentially be
larger than Asia's similar boom, stemming from the
improvements in the quality of life. Inevitably, leading Africa
past Asia in terms of economic size and growth.

3. Akingbade Akinfenwa, Managing Partner – Global Synergy, LLC and contribution from Jared Pentz, Member of the World Affairs Council of
Philadelphia, and the United Nations Organization.
FIVE REASONS AFRICA IS TOO GREAT TO IGNORE
Africa’s exponential economic and demographic growth are the basic reasons for the high level of endearment
to the continent. Read through the five reasons below and see why “This is Africa’s time!”
3.50%
3.90%
4.50%
5.00%
2013 2014 2015 2016
6%
21%
42%
31%
Oil Reserves Gold Platinum World's Arable Land
2001 to 2013 averaging 5.2 %
increase
Across the board, a booming population, a healthier workforce, and increasing economic growth create several business
opportunities in Africa. The workforce alone is expected to quadruple by 2100 according to UN estimates, and sub-Saharan
Africa leads the way. States like Nigeria, whose workforce is projected to increase eight fold with a trillion dollar economy; will
shoot to the third most populated country in the world. According to UN projections, Tanzania whose population currently stands
at about 45 million will exceed 276 million by 2100. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia have similar eye-
popping numbers 65.7 million, and 91.7 million people respectively. DRC, Tanzania and Ethiopia all need considerable investments
to make the most of all these future workers and create stability for the region by suppressing internal conflict.
The topic of competition in regards to Africa is twofold. One - Africa's workers will be more competitive since they will be a healthier
and more efficient workforce. Two - the longer business waits to promote and develop African business across its many sectors, the
more competition from other business it will encounter. This will lead to a rise in transaction costs to employers who come late to the
table. In the beginning, the main sector for business in Africa will be light manufacturing, due to low labor costs and the abundance
of natural resources. Africa has many resources that could be developed further to establish stability: here are some numbers
according to the Economic Report on Africa, 12% of oil reserves, 40% of gold, 80% platinum, and 60% of the world's arable land.
As in Asia, business needs to promote good governance and resource management to provide enough food, water, and electricity
in order to keep the chance of conflict low.
The business world should be
chomping at the bit to start
investment and expanding business
into Africa. It can be a win-win
situation for individual business and
building a prosperous Africa. Africa
has the extractive resources and the
human talent, but there are
challenges; strategic investment
opportunities could help reduce
poverty, reduce inequality, and
reduce conflict in Africa. Engage the
possibilities with Global Synergy’s
Global Expansion Techniques.