Africa's Challenge

The image below shows a gap in our world.  See it?

There is a continent without any red dots.  Africa.  Access to Internet.

Take a look at another picture now (source: www.darksky.org):

There is a continent with few lights at night.  Africa.  Access to electricity.  (More here)

And yet another map  (source: www.worldmapper.org):

See the red sliver?  Africa.  Proportion of worldwide wealth.

Is there a link between the three?

Electrical power permits access to the internet and communication links which in turn give Africa a chance to compete in global markets.  In turn Africans would gain access to knowledge, an ability to share ideas, and read stories and thoughts from around the the world.  Communication is empowering.

In a few weeks billions of faces will orient themselves to the southern hemisphere and to Africa's southern-most nation.  Only South Africa had a chance at pulling of the hosting of a World Cup - and just barely at that.  Brazil was on stand-by ready to pick up the tournament if the organizers felt that the stadiums and needed infrastructure were late.  The 2010 World Cup will make dreamers of children around the world and raise the patriotic emotions of billions of individuals.  There will be nail-biting moments, cheers and disappointment.

Hopefully the tournament will also bring more attention to the issues facing Earth's poorest continent.  It would be unfortunate if it left the world with an illusion that all is well and that the page has turned.  New stadiums and good times in the pubs and restaurants should not create the new standard upon which all else African is measured.

Let us hope that the lights stay on and that they spread so that, in a few years, more dots can be seen on the maps above.

Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!