The African Executive

The 5th Edition of the IREN East Africa Thought Leaders Forum reflected on why utilization of Africans’ intellectual capabilities has remained elusive. The quest for fast paced development (maendeleo chap chap!) continues to compromise the African peoples’ ability to interrogate and reflect on priorities. In the process, self doubt and low confidence levels lead to the outsourcing of the continent’s intellectual capabilities. Little fidelity to evidence based public discourse further fuels pessimism on African capabilities. Accepting to play in “global games” without necessary information makes it difficult for Africa to tap into its elusive asset – the mind as capital.

To tap into Africans’ intellectual capabilities, the agency is on the African person to address some basic requirements such as promote clarity in communication; promote precision on how one interacts with time and space and finally promote a high sense of obligation to get rid of pervasive self doubt. This calls for heavy investments in role modeling, mentorship and the requisite framework of modules for African youth. African policy makers should learn from Kiswahili saying “Akili ni mali” (Knowledge is wealth) and initiate deliberate programs to interact with the continent’s academia and intellectuals to foster development. Non state actors such Non Governmental Organizations and media among others should identify their own interests and agenda in the global context and push for evidence led advocacy and mobilization.

Participating thought leaders were drawn from diverse backgrounds ranging from political foundation, think tank, academia, psychological counselor, business, social workers, journalists and university students. The 6th edition set for August 2016 will be announced in April 2016. Outcomes of this year’s discussions will be published on both African Executive and IREN websites.