Why Afro-positivism and Afro-optimism matter

From 'the hopeless continent' to 'the poor continent' and several negative appellatives in between, Africa has continued to bear the impact and stigma that comes with negative stereotyping. This negativity has spurned a narrative that impacts on the volume of FDI inflows into the continent, intra African trade, and even a basic understanding of Africa as a continent and not a single country as some non-Africans still think - with its diversity, cultures, languages and differences.?Hence, the average non-African, who is not an active participant in Africa matters, most likely has skewed, inaccurate and often negative perceptions and image of the continent.?

However, there is another side to the story of Africa, an amazing continent rich in its history, music, art, and both human and natural resources. The world's most youthful continent, with 70% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30 according to a UN report, the story of African progress, innovation, courage and achievement is the pedestal on which Afro-positivism and Afro-optimism rest.

Afro-positivism as a concept was first used by Congolese author Sony Tabou Tansi, describing it as a movement totally different from and opposite to Afro-pessimism. Afro-pessimism, simply put, has long since referred to a psychological bias that pushes most Africans and people of African descent to think that their continent positions its people to construct and build garbage economies in the depths of the cruellest, unbearable forms of indignity that humans can endure (Wilderson 2010). Afro-optimism on the other hand emphasizes Africa’s modernity, exudes positivity, inspires action, and celebrates ‘Africanness’ or African solutions, uniqueness and progress.

As more Africans continue to make unquestionable contributions to world peace and development, and lead innovations in various sectors including science, technology and the arts, a subtle change of narrative is happening - galvanising the 'Afro-optimism movement'. This can be seen with Africa being home to up to 6 of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and greater global engagements with Africa reflected in several Africa summits over the last ten years, such as the US-Africa Summit, UK-Africa Conference, China Africa Forum and the list goes on. Hence, Africans and its leaders must deliberately design programs and encourage campaigns that underline optimism and positivism in the continent's future - in spite of the challenges we still face and grapple with. Initiatives such as?#TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou movement must be encouraged both at the individual and trans-national levels to drive Afro-optimism.?

I do believe Afro-optimism and Afro-positivism are by no means a denial of the lived experience of most Africans, who still deal with acute cases of poverty, poor access to basic healthcare and the many other challenges we are all too familiar with. It is however an expression of the possibilities and convictions of our past heroes that Africa can truly and fully lead itself someday and also lead the world. It is a conviction?hinged on the belief that human beings could alter their circumstances by their individual choices and their commitment to doing the work needed to back up those choices.?Africa is the future, and that future is now. Africa can truly lead the world someday.?

To this extent, among several others, three key reasons why Afro-positivism and Afro-optimism matter and should be encouraged are listed below:

1.?Afro positivism inspires action. My work and passion over the last two decades which has focused on identifying, celebrating and enabling achievements in Africa point to how celebrating outstanding achievements and leadership on the continent is good for humanity, and especially for Africa; as it has the potential to create a ripple effect in the society by inspiring others to take action towards serving humanity for the greater good of all. Indeed?the inspiring example and impact that one truly effective action transmits are truly powerful and game-changing, not just for the ordinary citizens but also for African and global leadership. As the Singaporean leader, Lee Kuan Yew, mentioned in his book, From third world to first, “ honesty and effective government, public order and personal security does not come about as the natural course of events, but as the products of visionary, ethical and competent leadership" (and action I should say). Such actions, especially when led by leaders, become notable points of reference for what is possible and also inspire a whole generation of upcoming leaders to go on to solve some of humanity’s biggest problems in the future.?

??2.?It has the ability to rally the African diaspora. Africa is Rising, and there is indeed a resurgent Africa arising from the challenges of today's global challenges to emerge as the last growth frontier, and its diaspora must play a leading role in that emergence.?Africans in the diaspora need to understand that they play a vital role in the representation of their African roots and in the popularization of their 'Africanness'. African immigrant communities around the world must harness their intellectual capabilities, expert world views, strategic relationships, industry experience and skills to Fastrack or leapfrog economic development and progress on the continent. Governments and political leaders on the continent must back their Afro-optimist campaigns with enabling environments and benefit systems that encourage the contributions of?the African diaspora by replicating as much as possible the circumstances the diaspora members were operating in prior to coming back to Africa. And the returning diaspora members must be willing to make sacrifices for the development of the motherland.

3.?It would boost inward bound foreign direct investments and tourism.?Globalization makes the case for increasingly growing international trade, information technology, interconnectedness and outsourced manufacturing. Africa can only catch up with industrialized nations through economic expansion and interaction. The stories we tell must be positive and optimistic in nature while staying balanced and true so as to attract the much-needed investments that will drive innovations, jobs creation and a better life for the African people. This narrative will also boost tourism and revamp the struggling multi-billion tourism industry on the continent. There are so many beautiful tourist sites in Africa, ranging from Lions Head in South Africa, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Omo River Region in Ethiopia, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Through tourism, we?can begin to showcase some of Africa's unique culture, music and food to the world - all instruments of soft power.?

In conclusion, as the saying goes, if you don’t tell your story, someone else will tell it for you, in ways that may undermine you. It is therefore time to tell the African story through Afro-positivist and Afro-optimist lens, for the Africa we want to see is the stories we need to sell.