Yesterday, we launched this very important book, EXPENSIVE POVERTY in Johannesburg, South Africa. The book, authored by my great friend Dr. Greg Mills interrogates the question of foreign aid, and why it has not substantially improved the lives of the people of Africa. Africa has received $1.2 trillion in development assistance since 1990. Even though donors have spent more than $1,000 per person over these 30 years, the average income of sub-Saharan Africans has only increased by just $350! The continent has very little to show for this money, most of which has been lost through corruption- mostly by the political elite. Uganda is a classic example of this tragedy.
The book examines how best poverty can be addressed on the continent. It is my great honor to have contributed to this project, and to have been given the opportunity to suggest the title of the book.
It was a great pleasure catching up with His Excelleny President Hichilema Hakainde, whose recent election victory in Zambia, and the progress made so far in his country provides great encouragement and inspiration. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo continues to push for democratic governance on the continent, and it is always a great pleasure drinking from his cup of wisdom.
I thank Dr. Greg Mills and the Brenthurst Foundation for the great work they continue to do, to address Africa’s governance challenges in a bid to support the continent’s economic transformation
