Would You Invest Money in Sub-Saharan Africa

[Dagoth-Ur]

Not only no but Hell No!

 

[frigidweirdo]

Sub-Saharan Africa is a region with enormous potential for economic growth. It’s a place that needs almost everything and holds nearly unlimited natural resources. An enterprising young man with a little capital and some business knowledge could build a financial empire there—especially if he were the right color and could live there without friction.

Today, it’s still possible for a young white man to move to Africa, buy property, and start a business. But the odds of success would likely be better if he were Black. He’d have a greater chance of fitting into the local culture, especially if he married a local woman. That would make his presence more socially acceptable.

However, even a Black man who moved to Africa and married a local woman might still be seen as an outsider. If he arrived with a bunch of phony charm and shallow theatrics—what some might call “shuck and jive”—he’d likely be viewed as ridiculous by the locals. But if he conducted himself in a serious, businesslike manner, he’d stand a better chance of being accepted. And in business, image can mean everything.

The opportunity is real. The question is: Would you invest money in that region?

I went to Lesotho, and I met a Germany guy on his bike. We were staying in the same place, we were the only people staying in this place. He was a hydro engineer and he'd arrived in Lesotho after being told by the Lesotho ambassador to Germany that Lesotho needed hydro engineers.

So he told me that he was off to speak to some minister in charge of hydro engineering projects, and then came back later that day and say "I'm getting on my bike and leaving, I'm going to bike to [might have been Zambia or something, I can't remember]"

Why? Because the minister in charge demanded his bribe. So Lesotho didn't get someone to help them with a very real problem of water, all because one dude was only interested in himself.

That's what Africa is.

 

[JWBooth]

Nope, I would not.

 

[longly]

I went to Lesotho, and I met a Germany guy on his bike. We were staying in the same place, we were the only people staying in this place. He was a hydro engineer and he'd arrived in Lesotho after being told by the Lesotho ambassador to Germany that Lesotho needed hydro engineers.

So he told me that he was off to speak to some minister in charge of hydro engineering projects, and then came back later that day and say "I'm getting on my bike and leaving, I'm going to bike to [might have been Zambia or something, I can't remember]"

Why? Because the minister in charge demanded his bribe. So Lesotho didn't get someone to help them with a very real problem of water, all because one dude was only interested in himself.

That's what Africa is.

There is a remarkable story that stands out in Africa—one that is both unusual and inspiring. It’s the story of King Peggy, whose real name is Peggielene Bartels. Though she is an American citizen living in Maryland, she was chosen by the elders of a Ghanaian village to become their king after the previous ruler passed away.

Initially, the elders believed that, because she was a woman and lived abroad, she could be easily manipulated. They hoped to maintain their corrupt practices under her leadership. But they were wrong. King Peggy took her role seriously and swiftly replaced the corrupt officials. She cleaned up the village’s finances, brought in clean water systems including pumps and wells, established emergency services, and created tuition support programs for schoolchildren. She also improved living conditions and restored dignity to the community.

Her elimination of corruption alone has dramatically improved the quality of life in the village. This story proves that positive change in Africa is possible—but it requires leadership from someone who genuinely cares, not someone driven only by self-interest.

Now, while her title as “King” of Tantum may raise legal questions—since American citizens are generally discouraged from holding foreign titles—most people have chosen to overlook that fact because of the good she’s doing. It’s surprising she hasn’t been targeted by the Ghanaian government, given the example she’s set. Ghana is considered one of the more corrupt countries in Africa. According to her, you can’t drive from one village to the next without being stopped by police at checkpoints, where officers demand bribes as if they have the right to impose tolls on public roads.