The Poverty Paradox: Why Most Poverty Programs Fail And How To Fix Them | Efosa Ojomo | TEDxGaborone

How can we eradicate poverty? That is the question that underpins a majority of development programs. But what if by asking that question, we are limiting our capacity to actually eradicate poverty and create prosperity? In this heartfelt and passionate talk, Efosa Ojomo explains how our framing of the problem of poverty is hindering our progress. He suggests a different way to solve the global poverty problem.
An alumnus of the prestigious Forum for Growth and Innovation Center at the Harvard Business School (HBS), Ojomo works alongside colleague and mentor Professor Clay Christensen in their shared goal to discover, develop and disseminate robust and accessible theory in the areas of disruptive innovation and general management as it relates to economic development.
Ojomo’s body of work will ultimately help entrepreneurs, policy makers and development practitioners spur prosperity in their regions.
Specifically, Ojomo’s research examines how emerging markets in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, and Asia can engender prosperity for their citizens by focusing on investments in market creating innovations, such as M-PESA, the mobile money transfer platform in Kenya.
Ojomo graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University with a degree in computer engineering. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Kehinde747]

"There is no progress without honesty".

[@IrushKansas]

I have used Mpesa which he gave as an example of an innovation… from your phone you can pay for anything, send or receive money in kenya without dealing with cash. This has made life so easy in very many ways for citizens.

[@Jnealt12]

Brilliant presentation. ......we also need to drastically change our education system, from training clerks to training innovators..!

[@19QKOO82]

The problem is also Africa's best innovators will move to Europe and America.

[@ghenadiedaranuta6785]

60

[@jeffw3591]

Wrong, jean. Need food and water so ppl are not dying of thirst and hunger. Have you tried inventing while dying from thirst and hunger??

[@Jnealt12]

@@jeffw3591 You make it see like they are actively dying from thirst and hunger every day of their lives, and everyone of them. You seem to have the wrong impression of them all together.

[@kevinodom2918]

@@jeffw3591 wouldn't innovation help bring food & water wherever needed?

[@jehuhand8176]

So glad someone is trying to think outside the box.

[@ingridlandberg8662]

What box? This sounds like "Greed is Good", money solves all problems, etc. The world is becoming uninhabitable and Efosa advocates for innovation to create wealth rather than making the world sustainable. BTW, what happened to the wells?

[@patrickmuoki6826]

I am sure he's thinking positively, just as if there were no any box to think in. Brilliant

[@ivorycelt]

Efosa - I think you are bang on correct. I myself am preparing to leave the UK and move to Kenya - The opportunities are enormous. Creating a positive is 1000 times more rewarding than eliminating a negative

[@kibetronoh2376]

Hello. I'm in Kenya. What are you upto now?

[@davidlloyd-jones8519]

@@kibetronoh2376 Well i made it to Kenya!!..Niko happa sasa... Nyeri town forest - Building an eco house as a guest house - Built from local marrum soil on site. Very little imported materials, maximum local labor - a mix of traditional materials with new style and techniques - Mzuri sana kazi

[@Jonifico]

@@davidlloyd-jones8519 You guys rock! How did it all go?

[@Tepkeny]

@@davidlloyd-jones8519 awesome, how is it coming along 2yrs now?

[@highhope.j.2393]

wow, thank Goodness i stumbled upon this talk n this comment. im from nyeri, kenya. currently working abroad but still feeling ecstatic for yours thoughts and hopefully actions on bringing affordable lifestyle to kenya. hongera na Mungu awabariki 🙏🏽💓🤠

[@markgeorge9725]

Good talk. I can't help but think that you need a stable government in place to provide security and protection in order to give the innovaters time and space to innovate.

[@oryemben761]

I love all what you have spoken about, some African problems are lack of willingness by our leaders to create friendly environment for innovations for instance some leaders have frustrated many innovators because they feel like the population should live in poverty and less empowered such that they consolidate their staying in power. Mind set change should start with our leaders especially the so called revolutionary leaders who assume power by the barrel of the guns

[@jomontanee]

This is a very insightful speaking. The America example here is the same thing as Japanese entrepreneurs thought after the Japan Empire fell during WW2. The Japanese were so poor, struggling and facing the cruel hardship. But the Japanese entrepreneurs then set the mission to produce products that were "affordable to everyone" to help their fellow citizens. As long as the product lines were running, people still had their jobs and income. All the households could afford the light bulbs, the electric fans, the cars at low prices. That's the reason Japan rose from ashes.

[@lilianbosibori9017]

P

[@lilianbosibori9017]

P

[@kgmillionaire]

Thank you. 😊

[@hoseaa7121]

Cue dat

[@Tryste]

this derserve way more views. It's a real sparking ideas, real problems and very well presented. Not the typical rehearsal about mindfulness and how to be like successful people

[@reecem367]

I disagree.

[@1anre]

Kevin Zhou without counter facts, really smart uhm ?

[@ghenadiedaranuta6785]

2

[@frommarkham424]

this video deserves 1 million+ views

[@limmingming4022]

@@1anre this person fart from the mouth...

[@JayJay-lr5wm]

This is brilliant - learnt something, "focus on innoviation rather than being obsessed on how to eradicate poverty" thank you,

[@averayugen7802]

When we are less obsessed with eradicating the poor person in out heads and souls....we will get healthy in every other way.

[@samann95014]

Innovation is the key to creating prosperity.

[@nwokpororowland4216]

I'm repeating this over and over again, till it becomes a part of me

[@horagerva]

me too

[@samienaamien7038]

Brilliant, Efosa Ojomo! I would just add that our innovation has to include ideas from the people who are going to be the recipients of the innovation too. We need ground-up solutions, and the communities need to be involved.

[@stinger4712]

Not necessarily. Yes the solution has to be relatable but it doesn't need to come from the people.

[@ravenofsky33]

Innovation needs security, rights protection (democracy) and infrastructure..

[@sivlongtaing]

This was the best answer describing poverty and I learned a great deal. The meaning is deep and profound! What needs to change is the focus on innovation and then the rest will follow such as infrastructure. We learn that throwing relentless resources at a problem won't solve it. We don't truly understand the underlying problem, such as poverty. The speaker says, to focus on "innovation", and he used for example the beginning of the Ford automotive company. Ford, is one man that created the affordable cars for the common man. It created an economic good which in turn creates jobs for product and services around the automotive industry. This was a nice insightful moment for me as a lifelong business major. Clearly, innovation is seen as a very powerful solution here in the states and across the world. The ideas, such as Henry Ford's "innovation" for affordable cars created infrastructure in the form of roads. I believe this speaker spoke from his teams experiences and study of poverty. This was super intuitive and carefully argued and reasonable insights from a combination of empirical evidence and comparison of economic standards. Remember, resources does not solve the problem of poverty! Clearly stated here! It's the innovation that needs to take place! Entrepreneurs, with clear visions and simple concepts will help change world! ---Siv "Very Profound!"

[@sammyasta2921]

Great simple perspective, focus on creating prosperity not eradicating poverty.

[@Ubuntu-BC]

They people who pump in resources know the formula which isn't advised. We are drowning into debts but we thank God for people like you driving the message home. Thanks i have learnt alot, i am a community worker, who thinks more of working directly innovative with target people than funding them. Now i get a clear view how to implement it. Point well driven home, bless you

[@marcelobinna9399]

It takes great diligences in research to get this kind of results. I hope to become a great thinker like you & prof Clayton someday.

[@mfundozulu6147]

This is one of the biggest missing pieces I needed to plug into my life mission!

[@myrtillesm3532]

Fantastic. It touch so deeply. Thank you. So much right on. Equity, respect, togetherness and movement towards a greater future for everyne. Amen!

[@bapplay1]

wow..excellent presentation brother. well said. Developing countries like my own needs this message. Thank you , thank you

[@hassandiallo5326]

Building confidence through knowledge is key to success.

[@christianhume7618]

EXCELLENT!....very insightful! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@chroniclesofanafricandiasporan]

Creating innovations is the way forward.

[@mukailarafiu2718]

A very interesting piece of speech! Thank you, sir!

[@SuridAkhand]

You're a good man to return and help out your people. Many people lack that courage, decency.

[@ibrahimalowonle9106]

No doubt I would definitely do the same.

[@jdxtube68]

Outstanding! Thank you.

[@msfelika]

What a breath of fresh air. I am so grateful for your presentation i

[@kenmarriott5772]

Whatever you focus on, you get more of. Focus on poverty, you get more poverty. Focus on wealth.

[@nightdreamer2315]

This gives me hope yet.

[@hellonomasonto]

This left me pretty amazed! Bravo to the speaker. I hear you very well, my brother.

[@oldtimereligion1stlady22]

Powerful still it start with a clear and mercy filled heart about humanity help people to help themselves

[@ifeakintunde5936]

Well said

[@mrcl92rs]

If I could "like" this video a hundred times I would gladly do it!

[@Sridhar909]

Me too 👍 Awesome speech!!

[@missangela6720]

You can still do it by liking every single positive comment in this video that seems to align with your thinking

[@kennethisaac233]

@@missangela6720 and sharing the video as well so alot of us can see it.

[@twizaniza4298]

Excellent quality of dealing with the Poverty. The Poverty reduction policies has-been missed placed in Africa. Innovation is the way forward is to motivate many intelligent Africans to bring change in the lives of many people in Africa! I am in this new way of helping my people move to financial liberty 🗽 of many on the continent of Africa. Thanks

[@johnnywilson5083]

outstanding presentation and insightful , complex subject simplified for all. Well done !

[@johnnycycle]

Very well said!!

[@AmosKatana]

This is a powerful and such profound presentation that needs to be listened to by all Afrikans, esp those carrying out such programs 👏

[@a4Patiole]

The car came before the road. The innovation comes before the infrastructure! 💪🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@OwenSichone]

Not true. Horse drawn carriages had roads. Cars were called horseless carriages.

[@a4Patiole]

@@OwenSichone you're 100% correct. As someone who continues to see new tar roads being created, I resonated with the fact that not all roads/pathways are created when an idea is formulated.

[@pukarkhand314]

Thanks Man for enlightening me

[@j.n.sloane]

Excellent talk. You can do it.

[@thestoryteller6398]

am glad I watched this talk today.

[@tantaswantswam6467]

Lets hope African young leaders have well received this informative presentation because it pokes consciousness if you are a little normal.

[@khajalieubarrie5088]

We all wish they do but they don’t even have time to pick up these lessons

[@RidzkiSamsulhadi]

This is amazing talk! Thank you! It aligns so much with my mindset that what we need is actually shift our focus to improving well-being (and prosperity as you said) instead of narrow-mindedly focus on trying to "pull" people out of poverty with throwing them funds or resources randomly before they are ready to use them.

[@michaeladesanya7822]

This is the best Ted talk I have seen and it can really apply to poverty in Families in any part of the world. There are so many innovative people in Africa and the education has to be given to our leaders who need to allow this innovative spirit of its people to flourish. P

[@sallymoyae3203]

Efosa this is really insightful, I've also been thinking can't we ,the developing countries focus on addressing the root problem which I is believe is low levels of literacy;the biggest poverty contributor.

[@reecerodrigues1127]

Congrats on your amazing speech sir!

[@ronniehabwomugisha3040]

Thanks alot patriot. You have liberated many minds on this concept.

[@theenvironment5789]

how can we create create prosperity ?(not a resource problem) but innovation problem (INNOVATION = practical solution to a real problem)

[@swetatripathi3146]

Eye opening presentation 👀

[@lydiahkudziyamiranyangoni2262]

Innovation revolution indeed. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@chrispinemukuka2581]

Good TEDx Talk. I managed to write a Research Paper on a similar topic. Job well-done Efosa

[@muokasina284]

Politics has become major hindrance in Africa on innovations and technology- including business growth. until we have the right leadership environment, it is difficult to move the continent ahead

[@nyashanyatondo3464]

Innovation in the sea of corruption can sink right to the bottom and fail to transform the prospective fortunes of Africa. In Africa, we need to uproot corruption if innovation is to transform the economic fortunes of the continent

[@lawrencejere1478]

Great presentation, I watch it over and over!

[@gugulethutakaindisa3423]

This was awesome and insightful…..

[@paulagape6460]

Obviously, every effective paradigm shifts is a powerful tool for effective change. Shifting from poverty to prosperity is a powerful tool. I would love to engage his team on a simple but effective model that will change the poverty situation in Africa. This model shifts focus from the circle of concern to the circle of influence.

[@ahmed.ea.abdalla]

That's a new perspective

[@1anre]

Why isn’t this Efosa’s talk longer, it’s like he had so much more to share but was limited for time.

[@adminvx]

Refreshing perspective.

[@obrotcho8289]

Very insightful and top-notch presentation.

[@onocriss5284]

Deeply insightful

[@AngusFriday]

SPOT ON!!! Let's do something to accelerate innovation that yields prosperity.

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

If you give someone a fish they will have fish to eat for a day. If you teach someone to catch their own fish and give them a fishing pole,they will have fish to eat until the fishing pole breaks. If you teach someone to fish and how to make their own fishing pole, they will have fish to eat for the rest of their life and their children will make better fishing poles and have more fish to eat and fish to sell for the rest of their lives and their grandchildren will make even better fishing poles and catch even more fish and have fish to eat and to sell to lots more people for the rest of their lives,...

[@majiriokaroh6243]

Someone need to manage it properly without procrastinating for too long

[@AceXwilD]

That Ford analogy was a crazy realization.

[@deborahkesmen4626]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I HAVE LEARNT SOMETHING NEW.

[@TrantaLocked]

This is the truth

[@SasekaniSibandaDr]

We must stop pushing and ask ourselves, how can we create prosperity

[@michaelsongiso4877]

I don't know why I am finding this now in 2022 , I have a couple of innovations that I afeel can empower the avaerage people in my community by addressing important things. I agree with you on the Video , however even innovation need to have a benchmark cost which in most cases funders will not agree to if they don't see in big profit

[@littleKingSolomon]

The innovators he mentioned in his presentation had the same problem but, as he said, they persevered. Banks and investors may not see what we see but we can't give up.

[@michaelsongiso4877]

@@littleKingSolomon I love the part where you said we can't give, thought it takes a lot to start something from scratch without anything because most of the activities will need cash in the initial stages

[@allenchilekw5698]

Thank you

[@sebaldsinliberia9283]

As a missionary and development worker in Liberia, West Africa, I appreciate your honesty and insights. I agree with your assessment and encourage the development of appropriate technologies as much as possible.

[@bafanashabangu9725]

This approach seems viable and could yield significant potential on our Continent

[@tatatetenta2269]

We need to work on the mindset of our people to be able to make any progress. We have to drop all our negative thinking, subverting each other, change our paradigms and be focused on making positive progress.

[@garikayichinhakwe9209]

I'm one of innovators in Africa. I agree with the presentation.

[@mugabomukizafabrice6732]

I love you brother💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@luizfernandocassao808]

Nice great efosa

[@kevefe7335]

Thanks, that was brainstorming

[@lydiahkudziyamiranyangoni2262]

Awesome!! 👏🏻🙏

[@MaryamAli-vd1xv]

excellent

[@jefmweds]

The benefit that African countries have is the availability of good technologies that when re-engineered will accelerate our levels of development and creation of wealth. I still think many African countries should invest more on research and development. Thank you for this wonderful presentation

[@kennethisaac233]

Hi. Can you give examples of those technologies plz. I'm not aware of any of them. Thanks

[@KiRetteCouture]

We can have all the technologies we want but if good governance is absent, things won't move on much.

[@vegie4697]

this made my opinions about poverty more clear. thanks a lot.

[@DM-ox6sh]

love your passion

[@MySkod]

What about the goverment corruption in Africa? I thought it will be your insight about why it's so hard to stop the poverty in the continent. That being said, it was truly inspiring and insightful talk. Thank you so much for that. It is a pleasure to hear the product of your research. Very creative and out of the box.

[@sebsignat8286]

When we start removing corruption; we get positive changes in society, lower poverty etc

[@philippa3466]

Every country is corrupt. The most developed nations are the MOST CORRUPT. Corruption and development don't go together. Just because you are developed does not mean you are not incredibly corrupt. Look at countries like the UK, USA, France etc. Their corruption is almost sinister and throughout their system. But they are developed. The focus on eradicating corruption before we develop has the same impact as this focus on eradicating poverty.

[@opeyemiaia]

Got value 👏💪

[@byiza9484]

Technology in every aspect of society has advanced dramatically in the last 50 years. So the poverty bar has moved accordingly.

[@Tepkeny]

Brilliant

[@HeyRandal]

Thank you for a very stimulating talk and for your work to help people lift themselves from poverty by creating prosperity through innovation. I would like to know what happened to the water wells you referred to. Why are they broken? Thanks.

[@kathrinneuhold9302]

I've heard of wells that got broken by the women themselves, who were used to walk for miles to get water. The moment they didn't have to walk anymore, spending more time at home, some were exposed to domestic violence more often.

[@cavemansouthafrica]

@kathrin neuhold this explanation seems highly unlikely (coming from someone who lives in africa & has had close contact with many rural & poor communities.) it’s possible that it happened as you said once or twice, but even the fact that you don’t quote your sources and start off “i heard ...” suggests hearsay more than fact. what’s way more likely @heyrandal is that the wells were seen as a gift. most things on planet earth don’t last unless they are maintained - that’s the job of farmers, school grounds staff, carpenters etc ... maintenance maintenance maintenance. without tools, expertise and agreements in place, a community will use a gift until a small thing goes wrong, then instead of a stitch in time, they will generally continue using it until it’s totally broken. like trying to repair a car with a ceased engine, it’s often better to start again. but they don’t have the resources to start again anymore than they did with the first well. handouts (gifts) aren’t a long term solution. innovation, job creation, training are...

[@petrawirrell2624]

My husband and I have lived and worked in Sierra Leone for 2 years. He drilled water wells in the villages, despite there being already several wells which were broken. We asked, the people there why they did not use those wells. The reply "The rope is broken so we can't reach the water." We asked "Why don't you just buy a new rope and replace the broken one?" They replied "It is not our well, and the ABC - organization who drilled this well hasn't come back to fix the rope." - So sometimes it is also a matter of the organizations not transferring the responsibilities and "ownership" to the local people. It is sometimes a problem that the organizations, instead of empowering the people, have created dependency. In order to properly "help", the organizations need to be aware of the local culture and society structure as well.

[@phungphan2245]

Local governments in some African countries also make it hard for entrepreneurs to start business let alone be innovative. John Stossel did a good cover on it.

[@Gikash]

True. Same case applies in Kenya

[@prime-rib]

great vid

[@ski34able]

Okay but how to foster innovation?

[@docktorpylon]

Key Points 1. Ending Poverty goes with sustainable management of available resources 2. Innovation is important in social Change 3. There's need for change managers

[@clementgavi7290]

When destruction, followed by deprivation, are principles of life, poverty, and misery, a necessity

[@SilvanaBuilesG]

You're an inspiration!

[@LemmingAttack]

Stanford roadmap for design!

[@reginamolloy3397]

Great talk. I support Trade not Aid with developing nations. Buy their products not donate to their often corrupt government officials. The products supports putting food on tables, shelter and gradual improvement in education. No jobs = no need for education.

[@happyworld4036]

Thanks you Yobi

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great talk . Destined for greatness. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@Oogwayofbenin]

It's easy to get a patent right in the US but in Africa, we have a system that frown against patents. And if the people in diaspora wants any real contribution in Africa, they should work with African govt to start issuing out patents to protect and to act as incentive to use private funds for research. I studied management and I know what will happen if Nigeria govt start issuing easy patents. Patent is how govt encourage private bodies to use their funds on research to solve issues. The company in hopes on crashing out on the patent use their own funds for research rather watin for govt. This is what super countries have in common. They all issue patents and enforce relevant laws in the case of dispute. The govt does not need to give one cent from its pocket. But protecting business, Sanctioning any business that copies our country's patent. Govt is not a place to smiling and waiting for grants. It's a place for ideas and implementation of such ideas.

[@dr.aliceamudzi5167]

Well said Brother. It's a pity to know that we are our own enemies. High IQ people in Africa would stay when we give them the support they need.

[@averayugen7802]

Same for Oklahoma.

[@silviashefa4097]

Education as an Antidote for Hunger Recently, the UN, and several related organizations, marked two significant dates: the World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. International organizations for the poor and hungry have existed at least since the end of World War II, but neither poverty nor hunger have been eradicated. If anything, they have increased. What, then, are we doing wrong, and can we change the dismal reality? The problem is not lack of food; there is plenty of it. In fact, much of the food that is produced gets thrown away and pollutes the water and the ground rather than feeding hungry mouths. So people are hungry not for lack of food, but because there is no interest in helping people get it. The prevailing attitude is one of narcissism. We care only for ourselves and suspect everyone else’s intentions toward us. If we have any surplus funds, we use them to build walls and fences, not to help others. This is how we behave around the world as individuals and as nations. To quiet our conscience, we create organizations to tend to the poor and hungry. We fund them generously and appoint functionaries and bureaucrats to deal with the problem. But if our hearts were with the poor, we would not leave them in the hands of bureaucrats, just as we would not leave our children in the hands of social workers to see to their upbringing. We would see that the people we care about get what they need. Because we do not care, we appoint uncaring people who present plans for dealing with the spreading poverty and hunger, and announce special days to bring the problem to public awareness. They do not do a thing about the actual problems, but simply justify their bloated salaries through professionally designed presentations and verbose speeches that glorify their (nonexistent) achievements. If they truly wanted to solve the problem, which funds their lavish lifestyle, there would be many ways to do so. However, the surest way to lift people from poverty is education. First, there are technologies that can increase the yield of fields by multiple times through sophisticated irrigation systems, controlled environments, and other means. Farmers need to be taught how to use these technologies, and should be given the means to acquire them. This step alone would lift countless people out of hunger and poverty. Next, I think that organizations for eradication of poverty and hunger should use their budgets to buy lands where they will both grow crops for food that will be dedicated for the poor, and use some of the land to teach local farmers more efficient agriculture. Additionally, these centers for agriculture and education should be used in order to provide general education. It is well known that educated people have more opportunities in life, are generally better off, and can provide for themselves and their families better than uneducated people. Therefore, as a means to eradicate poverty and hunger, these centers should also provide general knowledge and education. Also, education should not be only about avoiding poverty. Poverty is not a personal matter, but a social one. Therefore, people who study at these education centers should also learn about solidarity, mutual responsibility, interdependence in today’s world, and other topics that will help them establish themselves as positive elements in a connected world. In this way, we can create an agrarian transformation that will become a social and cultural transformation that can free people not only from the grip of poverty and hunger, but integrate them in the global society of the 21st century as confident and positive individuals. In turn, these people will help others rise from poverty, and the process will gain momentum.