The time to act is now, and we must adopt a new approach: “Instead of giving Africa the fish, start teaching Africa how to fish.” For too long, external solutions have been imposed without truly listening to what local communities need. My years of experience in rural Africa have taught me the importance of asking a simple question: What troubles you? The answers are almost always the same:
Addressing these requires a holistic, community-based approach that restores hope, inspires opportunities, and enables prosperity. Young people need to see a future in their communities rather than migrating to overcrowded cities. This shift begins with creating jobs.
The starting point is identifying an anchor tenant—an entrepreneur or business that wants to operate in remote areas, employing local community members. Such businesses often integrate conservation, wildlife protection, and food production into their models.
To sustain these efforts, we must first tackle foundational issues:
While commercial enterprises provide jobs, they cannot shoulder all social impact commitments alone. For our efforts to be successful partnerships are critical. Trusted partners in Zambia, Mozambique, and Kenya are already poised to help drive these community-by-community changes.
Unlocking Africa’s potential means utilizing its natural resources safely, responsibly, and sustainably. With collaboration, we can create resilient communities that thrive, reduce urban migration, and empower people to take care of themselves.
