More than 650 leaders from business, government, civil society and academia participated in the 16^th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa at South Africa from May 31-June 2, 2006. The theme of the meeting was ‘Going for Growth’. Participants focused on how to sustain the continents growth rate by 5.3%. They said that Africa should not rely solely on foreign aid to alleviate poverty and create jobs but look to itself for solutions to poverty and unemployment.

While speaking at the opening press briefing, Haiko Alfred, Africa Director of WEF said, “Clearly business again is a critical partner in taking up the fortunes of the continent.” Political and business leaders outlined commitments and ideas to scale up successes already achieved on the continent. South African President, Thabo Mbeki, emphasized the need to get more capital inflows into the continent; to ensure higher rates of investment in African economies, in order to address poverty and underdevelopment.  

What’s Sahel's Future? 

The semi-arid Sahel suffered severe drought during the second half of the 20th century. Initially scientists believed that overgrazing and clearing of vegetation to make way for more farming and herding was the cause for the decline in rainfall. However, since the mid-1980s, several computer models have suggested that changes in the surface temperature of the oceans have changed the dynamics of the West African monsoon and are to blame. This hypothesis has gained widespread support but still there are some in disagreement. Different models point the finger at different oceans. While some say the influence of the Indian Ocean is most important, others say the difference between the North and South Atlantic. Scientists also agree that the greenhouse gases and aerosols that human activities release into the atmosphere are partially to blame for changing ocean temperatures. But the question is how this will affect future rainfall. Again, the answers depend on the models used.

The African Executive in the Limelight

The African Executive magazine has been described by The Black Informant based in the U.S.A as, “a great website for those that wish to see a self sufficient Africa-by Africans”. Booker Rising, a group associated with the views of Booker T. Washington (1956-1915) based in U.S.A named The African Executive as the Enterprise Website of the Week on May 24, 2006.