How Africa can keep rising | Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

African growth is a trend, not a fluke, says economist and former Finance Minister of Nigeria Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In this refreshingly candid and straightforward talk, Okonjo-Iweala describes the positive progress on the continent and outlines eight challenges African nations still need to address in order to create a better future.
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[@bob37905]

Who else came here because Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the new WTO Director General!? So proud!

[@kofi3720]

She’s not yet bro. I thought so too but the US blocked consensus so there are further steps necessary.

[@newjerseylion4804]

Meee

[@officialquineth]

✌

[@tutublossom8545]

@@kofi3720 she is now

[@pkl8811]

The Korean lady was far more qualified.

[@susuilu]

i love how she shows her cultural identity

[@C_Bat]

what a defiant aura, I hope she succeed in the battle against corruption and give rise to a world where Africa is no longer giving us an impression of ruins and lost lives, but a rising power that is to be reckoned with on the global stage.

[@uFFFO]

all the while the gold production is on a steep decline, their government is unable to even maintain local infrastructure and their white minority population is fleeing in fear of death.

[@Nakande72]

+kayt mukama Which country is K?

[@vivellaz]

I take it you live here in order to make such sweeping statements?

[@C_Bat]

Nakande72 HK isn't a country, mate, it's Hong Kong, aka not-China.

[@cyrilifedigbo5029]

I thank you Dr Okonjo Iwuala. I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished. I am glad your dad is still alive. I was a student at Nsukka when he was Head, Dept of Economics. A truly great and eminent Mathematical Economist. We had a few of people of his elk, very unassuming,practical and honest devoted to his students. I place him with my eminent Professor Eme Awa as some of the very best acsdemicians. You come across as a chip of the old block.

[@CJusticeHappen21]

As soon as I saw a TED talk featuring a professional african woman, I promised that I wouldn't look at the comments. I love to disappoint me.

[@danyun9619]

interesting. Yet I only see good ones. Mind elaborating more?

[@benm9396]

Why so many dislikes already? She's just highlighting how Africa can continue to grow and try to stand on its own feet, thank god for that.

[@christiancharley]

+Older General Skywalker ask your stupid self

[@christiancharley]

+Older General Skywalker ya fool

[@cremecrimson9035]

For 25 cents a day you can save...

[@jahkrmusic]

+Un-Metaphorical Grapevine People like you are the reasons I love the internet. Well played...

[@africariseup1890]

It's the KZbin TED trolls who always crawl out from their caves whenever a Black person talks something positive about Africa. Don't feed them.

[@adebiyial]

She spoke so well about Africa, yet acknowledge its shortcomings. She knows her stuff.

[@charleschally405]

Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is so grounded in economics and have economic models that can change the economic narrative of any country if given the opportunity to do so. Listening to her is like being in an economics post graduate class. keep it up ma. Hope to meet with you some day. God bless you.

[@calilovett2063]

Brilliant woman.

[@THEAKman47]

the TED community got completely screwed over by kids watching and hating on everything...

[@OneBadRudeBoy]

I have to agree. You can find some of the most ignorant and dumbest comments in the comment section of some of the most brilliant TEDTalks..... is actually really sad.

[@Havvdon]

+

[@Rumdreg]

Your error lies in believing that they are truthful and not simply characters for amusement.

[@Solidaritas1]

Yeah, but I don't think almost anything beats the sheer idiocy and ignorance of all the alt-right comments on RT and RT America videos.

[@ZsXie10]

At least those kids have interests click in and comment.

[@mailwin72]

Once the continent of Africa realises that it has abundant and rich resources and begins to use it's resources for self preservation, it will become more powerful than all the continents combined, this will take time though

[@andrewburrows6457]

This has been one of the most intelligent and comprehensive speeches I have ever heard on the Continent of Africa. By an African at last. I wish that it was heard by millions around the world. Thanks TED.

[@g-prince3375]

respect to my fellow Nigerian. Keep being an inspiration.

[@CharleeCharlie]

This was a very nice speech!

[@skydiver711]

Yes award winning I would say!

[@zendynasty3386]

So sad to see she left Nigeria. People know her worth. They have grabbed her. The end of her speech is beautiful.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

No. What Africa needs is a culture that values education. That would solve all their problems. It is a lack of value for education that causes all of their problems.

[@KingHenrySB]

That is a very ignorant comment, ask any African child what their parent wants them to be when they grow up and they will say a Doctor, Lawyer or an Engineer.

[@cleansing132]

trust me, as an African we value education very much

[@Amoncaco]

+ndyt There are many, many educated people in Africa with literally no opportunities due to corrupt governments.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

Outside of South Africa and Egypt, there are no top colleges in Africa at all. So where are all these Africans getting there wonderful education you people are talking about? Even the best colleges in South Africa don't rank very well. With no education there will be no opportunity.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

hodavia kalombo You example is anecdotal evidence which is a false type of evidence. It is that kind of false reasoning that shows a lack of education and is exactly the kind of thing that is holding Africa back.

[@peaceadesina]

She knows her figures right ! Impressive !

[@ZsXie10]

Keep working, bright future waiting for African , bless from China .

[@luke304]

Praying for Africa... they will be very great sooner than later

[@bgcm1995]

There has been one common enemy of Africa and they are now seeing that they can rise above the hatred and corruption. Bless that nation

[@lebotenzaify]

I personally have a "thing" for Ngozi, my goodness...... can't get enough listening to her. Her sense of humour is truly beyond my compréhension. Wish for her wisdom..... can she advise on how to eqiup myself to be like her?

[@lovedayopurum9218]

Nothing shall be completely impossible to a man that is ever willing to make a move, focused, determined and result oriented!

[@IfeanyiDanielUmudu]

Her level of intelligence motivates so highly. Thank you so much for delivering. I will keep listening to you

[@chaseofori-atta2225]

This is an amazing individual; adroit both in rhetoric & skillet! Thank you for all your contributions to society, honorable Ngozi Okinjo-Iweala!

[@felixomondi1776]

Great presentation by one of Africa's best economic minds - Okonjo-Iweala, the intellectual.

[@marissawilson4644]

There is so much ignorance, racism, and, hatred in this comment section.

[@iluan_]

All of them would be allowed as long as they pay for entrance fee for the TED event.

[@footypassion5960]

The fact that she is black and woman doesn't account for her capability as a WTO Director General. If you follow this logic she is promoting her "superiority" as a black and a woman to lead a global organisation. Such a fallacy and shame on her. All races are equal, so there must be a fair judgement upon capabilities not the colour of your skin!!!

[@kizitosone1039]

a woman of quality who i can never stop tapping knowledge from. congrats to you Doc for the position as DG at the WTO. i wish to meet you someday. God bless you

[@omowunmioyedare]

We celebrate God in you 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@cartograp]

What a fantastic, strong woman.

[@samcjstudio6423]

Wow am well inspired and motivated with your words , intellectual abilities and experience now u have made us to believe that with more people like u in Nigeria things get to better. Thanks for this pertinent information and knowledge u imparted in us .

[@correlian1155]

"you will not win, and we will not be intimidated." A beautiful sentence that should be the mantra throughout the world. Good talk, thank you

[@qaualshngali3349]

shut up

[@JayJacobsPGP2014]

I wish the views could be in the hundred millions, especially in Africa itself. This speech should be on all state TV's in Africa every day.

[@stormageadon]

But this is a very important issue

[@charleschally405]

we need economic models that can help tackle the economic inequality in Africa.

[@JuanPablodelaTorre]

This was really packed with information.

[@SnakeKoRn]

She totally nailed it.

[@muhdyusuf9294]

she deserved standing ovation

[@victorkwamedakpo8195]

Indeed they will not win and we will not be intimidated. Thank you Madam!!

[@MOFOUNDATION]

Role model.. My daughter's are watching.😘

[@aureliamurello2047]

Great! Thank you

[@asapa1321]

Such a genius! She’s a blessing to Africa

[@Derpster2493]

I watched this video pants off.

[@vmikeyboi323]

I love how everyone is saying there serious opion on the topic and here you Mr. Derpster saying you've watched this with out any pants, sir I congratulate you.

[@HeedTheCalling]

Incredible woman !

[@rekkya1000]

8 things Africa did economically wrong. 1)Grew- but did not create enough jobs especially for youths 2)Quality of jobs was not good enough. 3)Inequality increased- more billionaires and no middle class 4) Population growth caused poverty to grow - How to educate girls so that the economy can grow 5)Little investment in infrastructure - Chinese came to invest but not enough , 6) Economy retains the same structure for over deceased- we are still exporting commodities. we need to trade among ourselves and manufacturing opportunities 7) Governance is an issue - Corruption is a big issue, transparency is needed 8) Education is broken Way forward - Learn to manage successes - Learning what you are successful at and mange it - Policy consistency - Reduce debt - Focusing on the lessons learnt and change it - Engage the young people : support them and get out of their way . - Support girls and women - educate them and support them Her mum was even kidnapped

[@hammanbanjiram1611]

Great talk. God bless you richly, ma.

[@michaeltruman8158]

She makes me very happy for the future of the black woman. I believe we will find many more of her

[@rekkya1000]

M-Pesa (M for mobile, pesa is Swahili for money) is a mobile phone-based money transfer, financing and microfinancing service, launched in 2007 by Vodafone for Safaricom and Vodacom, the largest mobile network operators in Kenya and Tanzania.

[@tessyijeuru6364]

God Bless You Always... I Hope to be a medium to that Change.

[@specialfina2007]

Truly inspiring. Thanks Madam!

[@_iamZaki]

brilliant submission Dr.

[@victoriakelechiosuji7247]

🤩 Proud and Beautiful Africa !

[@Isyrawr]

great speech

[@veronicahwanjiru6327]

She's such a motivation

[@nicolassolioz3874]

Ngozo Onkonji Ikweala, HEY MACARENA

[@procrasti86]

Dafuk is up with your flag m8

[@andrewarmstrong2277]

Offend everyone

[@samanthablackman4960]

+procrasti86 they're trying to be edgy

[@procrasti86]

Nicolas Solioz Like how many edges do you have? Are you on par with a rhombicosidodecahedron yet, or did you surpass it already

[@NadavIgra]

Died

[@noviceprepper5397]

great talk

[@vio112]

She's brilliant.

[@johnaens8759]

My hero :)

[@ppmireless]

She is awesome!!! What a way to promote africa!

[@ChidozieEdeh-de9gi]

Thank you ❤❤

[@scatton61]

African risk capacity..... africans helping africans in meaningful ways..... about time

[@vjorp5332]

This woman is awesome.

[@walidchokki4833]

she was great.

[@roseashaolu406]

Yes! Africa would continue to Rise!!!

[@daughterofzion6443]

Yes! corruption will not win. Long live Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

[@tenge529]

She makes me proud of the black race and Africa in general.

[@wm673]

What a woman! Just brilliant!

[@SpraklyKiraKira]

you can tell she's a very smart woman.. a woman to look up to...

[@faithdada5990]

Wow, such brilliance😮

[@mininananana]

so powerful.

[@barbaralewis5891]

i clicked on this so fast

[@shadowmonkeyking5278]

Here's how they can fix it: 1. Destroy all borders and associated governments. 2. Allow all tribes to educate 2000 of their tribes people in the languages of the other tribes. 3. Scratch that, have tribe leaders who make sure nothing is skewed in terms of communication. 4. Have each tribe member educated in the ways of the world (west and east). 5. Hold an African Summit that then brings all these tribe leaders together. 6. Each tribe's regulatory focus will be on the efficiency of technologies incorporated in agriculture and paper. 7. Computers just cannot be given to every African, so they must focus on relying on their tribe leader's information from one computer. 8. Construction of a huge canal stretching all around the continent like a snake focusing on bringing fresh water. 9. Metals and conflict minerals are no longer a priority (if foreign countries want something they can go in and get without issues but that country will have to give something in return to the tribe). 10. Schools are no longer located randomly but will be placed near every 1000 huts / homes. 11. There will be a collection of each tribes strongest warriors / heroes to join together and create a continental military (1000 warriors / heroes will have to learn every military tactic in history as well as have access to the most advanced weapons and specialize in different forms of fighting). 12. A huge wall will be constructed around the entire continent (contributed funds / materials will be donated from each tribe).

[@mud2479]

Make Africa Great Again!

[@neuralvibes]

So, to sum it up, the "success" of Africa has been: a massive write-off of debt by non-African lenders who previously had poured billions into failed developmental aid in the preceding decades (though, as she notes, this debt is growing once again), the availability of cheap non-African technologies (cell phones, drones, etc) which make life easier with minimal African investment, Chinese investment in African infrastructure in exchange for raw materials, etc. That's not a "rising Africa", that's an Africa merely feeding off of the rise/growth of the rest of the world. The only field in which Africa could be called leader is in population growth which is out of control and which is basically eating up whatever miniscule real economic growth is achieved by way of this growth spurred by the rest of the world. When it came to specific examples of native African initiative, she mentioned a Kenyan mobile payment system and some kind of regional African insurance policy that amounted to less than 25 million dollars. That's not much of an initiative for a population spanning almost 1 billion people and set to more than double in size over the next few decades. I really don't see the education, the know-how, the ability to assimilate foreign technologies and create a native technological base the way other parts of the world have done or are in the process of doing. Bottom line, the "success" and "rise" of Africa is a feel-good media story and mirage, and this should be a cause of concern for everyone given its booming population, as this will likely mean many more hungry mouths to feed, many more unemployed migrants fleeing Africa to the developed world as well as more epidemics spreading from Africa due to the increasingly crammed and unsanitary living conditions there.

[@uFFFO]

a critical examination, nice. but i prefer clapping like a seal and yelling dats racis at detractors.

[@JuanPablodelaTorre]

Are you ignoring the rest of the speech because you have selective attention or is it something else?

[@mortyjames5897]

I think you're being unfair since it's incredibly early days, still. Look India for Gods sake. Most African countries only became independent in 60s/70s and were then plagued by civil war and famine, as they had little to no time to adjust to the immediate exodus of the colonists. Things a lot fucking better than they were back then, however, and *are* still improving

[@neuralvibes]

I watched the talk from beginning to end. I did not ignore anything. What I did was to challenge the "rising Africa" narrative, though to be fair to the speaker she did herself admit to some weaknesses of this narrative which is more than some who criticize my analysis seem willing to do.

[@neuralvibes]

James Mortished You're right that it's still early days. After all, much of Africa was unpopulated wilderness a mere century ago and you don't get from tribal societies to modern nation states in decades. However, that said, Africa back then had much better long-term prospects because of its much smaller population and huge unexploited natural resources. Today, there are many more hungry mouths to feed in Africa while at the same time soil erosion and water scarcity are becoming major issues due to overpopulation and unsustainable exploitation of land and water resources. Africa's prospects are therefore much less promising today than they were a century ago.

[@Mary-rw7rd]

Oh my god, why i didn't know him earlier?

[@roidroid]

9:20 > "...we are still exporting commodities, and exporting commodities is what? It's exporting jobs." nod nod

[@saviourokonanwankang1892]

I love you ma, I admire you

[@Illuminatiman44]

Africa is not rising Africa is plummeting (I'm South African)

[@sports4160]

Africa was poor because of conflicts,wars,dictatorship and political instability.... All this led to lack of investments, now most african nations are stable... In a decade we will surprise the world

[@elinope4745]

mobile money is using your phone company like a bank so that you can pay for things with your cell phone if you were wondering. its kind of like using bitcoins but less secure and with less autonomy. i would rather use bit coin and strip out the government control and surveillance from that cycle, why would i opt into being controlled or monitored by some other company when a more secure option allows me to avoid it? guess thinking about how someone else might exploit me and taking steps to prevent that is what keeps my country from leading the way with that type of technology. i wouldn't be proud if it was my country leading mobile money over bitcoin.

[@Digiphex]

Climate change I am sure you have learned is something you should say in a talk. But honestly, the cause is the same as it was back in the 70's when we were headed for another ice age - the shortage of capitalism.

[@tessyijeuru6364]

I LOVE YOU MA...

[@markphc99]

No sign of the Ibrahim prize being awarded anytime soon.The lousy leadership eg: in Nigeria ,was not mentioned. I note that the phrase Trials and Tribulations , when referring to African countries , is the most pallid euphemism for dictatorship and genocide etc

[@raziqilmi2709]

Everyone's being more shady than my umbrella

[@gamiezion]

about time too. the sooner africa stops depending on the west as a crutch the sooner they will be up and walking. don't get me wrong, i do feel reparations were in order after the colonization. i also feel those reparations have been made and then some.

[@mollychimene2781]

Isn't the woman in the video a Billionaire?

[@wealthyminah9771]

Yes

[@geraldmerkowitz4360]

Getting rid of Boko Haram(be) first would be a nice start for everyone.

[@alexisasheep6554]

Haha, she's speaking so quickly it's hard for me to keep up :P

[@BlackStarrSoul]

I'm curious about why people down voted the video? Anti-blackness from the users on this channel and on Seeker Daily is actually expected now.

[@cobol528]

I suppose if we all try hard to help, Africa will catch up to 15th century Europe in a few hundred years or maybe a 1000.

[@antonsebastian6484]

So I assume you live in a first world country and get all your information from televison media.

[@cobol528]

Aviri Char You might be an idiot.

[@cobol528]

Aviri Char I think you might have to get over yourself. You seem silly to me.

[@cobol528]

Aviri Char I think there might be some projection going on here. Get some help.

[@cobol528]

Aviri Char are you talking about the Epic of Gilgamesh?

[@antoineaudras]

or not

[@Fatdog223]

Roses are red Harambe was shot I'm Rick Harrison And this is my pawnshop

[@Quaggz]

Keep?

[@kachinow]

❤❤❤❤

[@mpath2197]

Okay guys, let's do this one together, every racist comment you see, press that top right button, press Report spam or abuse, and hit 'Hate speech' and proceed. Goodbye racists.

[@theshowber]

There's so much potential in Africa. Most of the young Africans I have met are faaar beyond smarter than kids I know in my country. They work hard and when I say hard I mean it. They really have to work 10x more when coming to Europe than us who were born here. I come from Finland and what I have seen is a negative trend. People come to study here and would be even eager to work and stay here but instead of giving them a chance to work in this country they hire local people with less motivation and skills. Overall Finnish youngsters are not doing well for our country because of the amount of ignorance and wrong priorities in life. The mindset for success is low and narrow...

[@theshowber]

***** Dear tell me which statistics. Have you studied them? There is enough of this kind of comments in the internet. Try to be a bit more creative please. We should try to create smart conversations. Not jokes.

[@theshowber]

+16patie wonder why? Because the employers don't even want to hire them! just because of stupid stereotypes.

[@kopesewanu8673]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@stormageadon]

I'm First

[@slavadin8295]

WE

[@CAPTAINMIIDGET]

WUZ

[@slavadin8295]

CAPTAINMIIDGET KINGZ

[@CAPTAINMIIDGET]

Darth Nihilus N

[@slavadin8295]

CAPTAINMIIDGET SHHEIITTT

[@CAPTAINMIIDGET]

OOGA BOOGA

[@SupermaninJapan]

This comment sections is a big joke. You don't have to waste your time on such videos. This video is just talking about how Africa is improving- the end. There is nothing about race or racism in it. lol. It does mention girl power, job creation, education improvement, weak government, and managing success to ensure a better future for future generations. These are all problems every countries has.

[@hdmat101]

Why has Africa always been behind the world in technology even before Europeans colonized Africa. Why were the Europeans more advanced than Africans?

[@KingHenrySB]

European countries were always at war with each other, war speeds up innovation and technological development. Africa was never a paradise but there was never much of a need to innovate and development due to a lack of extreme threat from enemies. That's just my thought.

[@emilhummelshj-agerholm4102]

did you even watch the thing?

[@CAPTAINMIIDGET]

Genetics

[@researchbashio]

+kayt mukama ty I would myself just to shut those dudes up

[@CAPTAINMIIDGET]

Egyptians were not black.

[@elchefe7701]

North (muslim) Africa? South Africa (steady decline)? Black Afrika (over 20 different cultures)? Africa is still a continent, not a single state. And, yes, drones (at 1:00min) Africa will be safed by drones. Exactly.