Pulling into the main Sierra Leone Port in Freetown a cargo ship with the name China Shipping. It's March 2013 and goods are arriving on mass. We know where is came from, there is no doubt that the owner wants us to know who they are and they have no secrets. What is in the hold of this massive ship from China? How many of these ships have arrived in the West African country this past year?
Growing Economies Are African
If a ship like this arrives every week, what is it leaving with? Years ago the arrival of ships from foreign shores with iron, guns, and liquor as it's cargo, saw the departure of slaves? What is the reason for the influx of these ships? What is the long term game and prospects for the people of the country. The roads, dams and buildings are being built on the back of massive investment. This have never happened on this scale before. There has been rapid change. Seven of the worlds 10 fastest growing economies are African May 2012. Sierra Leone, Niger, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia are included in this list. If you could choose what would you wish to be leaving the west coast of Africa?
Africa’s Food Markets Could Create One Trillion Dollar Opportunity By 2030
According to a World Bank report, Africa farmers and agribusinesses could create a trillion-dollar food market in just two decades. What is required for this to be realised is that they expand their access to more capital, electricity, better technology and irrigated land to grow high-value nutritious foods. Rice, maize, soybeans, sugar, palm oil, bio-fuel and feedstock are export which the world is interested in. So maybe this is the answer to the question above, What is the reason for the influx of these ships? China needs Africa to feed its millions of citizens in the coming years. Let hope it is African chop like jolloff rice they are eating and that Africans have eaten before feeding others.
West Africa Cooks
Editor
Guanxi, (gwan-shee), the Chinese term for the mutually beneficial relationships that are essential to success.
Source
World bank