Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: How to help Africa? Do business there

http://www.ted.com Negative images of Africa dominate the news: famine and disease, conflict and corruption. But Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Finance Minister of Nigeria and now a director of the World Bank, says there's a less-told story unfolding in many African nations: one of reform, economic growth and business opportunity. Cracking down on corruption -- and the perception of corruption -- will be the key to its success. She tells how high-ranking Nigerian officials taking money illicitly have been jailed, and how citizens and prospective business partners are getting at least a partial picture now of where money flows.

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[maceike]

The media loves to talk about the internet scamming that occurs there, but never seems to report about the corporate scamming being done by foreign companies in Africa. Internet scamming is a petty crime when you compare it to the other crimes committed against Africa. Besides, most of the scam money is used in the American and European markets.

[nayak33]

this is brillant madam ngozi!! well articulated. it is important that the hegemonic discourse which perpetuates western media reportage and stereotypes the 54 countries as one basket case is removed.

[timchuks87]

Sounded too scripted.

The Point of the short story she told in the beginning was very thin. She had to explain herself further, even without an applaud.

But we, Nigeria, know the Story of the renegade Governor, How has it changed Nigeria?

Enough Talk. Lets begin to Act.

[jamilfizbaba]

whoever disliked this is a fool!!..straight up

[crudhousefull]

So well informed. I am in awe. Go Africa! Even though I'm from Asia I feel so bad that Africa continues to get raped by the west. I've seen quite a few good leaders from Africa on TED alone. You have no idea how good that makes me feel

[selenium7934]

Yes, She is talking from EXPERIENCE.... awesome delivery, direct presentation.... Madam wish you the BEST as you take up the FINANCE MINISTRY HEAD ASSIGNMENT again..... you will SUCCEED......

[gueritamar]

It is up to us Africans to bring abt the change we want to see in Africa. Intl Migrant Remitances are the 2nd largest aid around the wld. africans with the capacities need to start investing back in their local economies. We keep blaming on the instabilities in the regions but hey only us can do it. Maya angelou once said, "when there is an issue, change it, if u cannot then change yr attitude. I started off by helping a local school + soon few friends joined + we r doing other small changes

[politicalthinker]

'There is Africa you don't here much about'. How does the corporate media survive if not portraying Africa in the bad light in order to boost their rating

[benibargera]

It's very interesting that Ngozi, who once worked for the government (Finance Minister), says that the best way to reform the economy is to privatize businesses. She faces the fact that the government is just not as capable of developing the economy as much as a free market system is. It's amazing how the liberalization of the telecommunication market led from 4500 landlines to 32'000'000 GSM lines. Perfect example of how a free market system is so much more efficient than command-system.

[igurube]

I like Ngozi, but I stand with chinnyization. Talk is cheap. Before a society talks of growth or properity, certain factors have to be on ground. Security, electricity/energy, water supply, roads/transport. Etc. Nigeria has none. Who wants to invest where he'll be kidnapped? Or set up a headquaters where there's no road, or energy supply?

The govt ain't serious. The people just suffer.