I rarely have the chance to cite the teachings of Jesus when writing about the political economy of Africa. Yet these are strange times. The London Guardian has published a new commentary piece of mine on why Africa’s financial “marginalization” helps position the region for relatively better economic growth during the global economic crisis. Amid a new round of “doom and gloom” talk about Africa’s future, I’m presenting a positive message that’s fact-based and logical, if obviously contradictory to conventional wisdom. “Marginalization may save Africa,” which the Guardian chose as a headline for my piece, strikes the right note, I think.
The piece, distributed by the wise editors at Project Syndicate, was also published either Sunday or today in the Nation of Nairobi, one of Africa’s most important newspapers.