International Trade Blog

Although Africa has virtually unlimited potential it is still a place of severe poverty, famine and in some cases a war zone. Humanity strives for total democracy and so should the countries of Africa. But this will not be an easy and quick undertaking.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has just began her tour through Africa. Her main aim is to convince the local governments that democracy is a vital part of country development. She is completely right because as long as there will be no stability foreign investors will be afraid invest their money, develop industry and generate trade. Yeah sure foreign companies buy African natural resources, but that is no trade it is more like exploitation. With this visit the US shows that Africa is still a key element of their foreign policies. As the family of the president of USA Obama, is originally from Kenya, now it is even more important. Of course USA understands that the trade between USA and countries of Africa can be very profitable. If achieving democracy is one thing then maintaining it is another.

In general newly turned democracies are very prone to corruption which is a global problem. There is not much difference between a dictatorship and democracy if both governments exploit the country and its nation. Though I have nothing against corruption in small scale, which actually can sometimes be an effective tool, on large scale it prevents successful trade operations.

Will things change in Africa? They probably should, but it will not happen in months, probably not even years. We must realize that democracy is not a magic wand that changes all wrongs and cures every disease. Democracy is important, but it will reach its full potential only when the thinking of people in general will change. If Africa is ready to begin this journey then it is good news for international trade.