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by Ayukepi J. Ayukekbong (Author)
Africa is a continent that has been traumatized from the period of slavery and colonization and continues to be ensnarled in the hook of neocolonialism. It's the most diverse continent in the world in terms of ethnic and linguistic variations, with over three thousand tribes speaking more than two thousand languages in fifty-four countries. This diversity is also reflected in the difference in economic performance from one country to another. However, with much concerted efforts, the old narrative of a continent characterized by poverty, war, despair, and corruption is fading away, with new opportunities emerging.
Based on extensive travel experience by the author, numerous years of research about the continent, and interviews with several experts, Africanitis presents a historical connection of Africa with the world and discusses current issues in the continent. These issues include the threat of natural disasters, emerging infectious diseases, food insecurity, civil unrest, corruption, foreign aid, and weak economic systems. The author also presents key areas of opportunity, such as diaspora mobilization, biotechnology, sustainable natural resource management, and educational and digital transformation of the continent.
Africanitis is unique because it's written by an individual of African origin and offers a non-biased perspective from which global citizens and Africans alike should view Africa. Particularly, the book invites readers to view Africa as a continent that is making conscious efforts to wean itself from foreign aid and the largesse of its colonizers or multilateral organizations, instead seeking genuine international partners. In this regard, Chinese penetration and interest in Africa is also extensively discussed. Overall, the author presents a nuanced, fact-based perspective of the vast opportunities available in the continent to be explored.
