Supporting Economic Resilience In Africa: Empowering Rural Communities  

Imagine an Africa where farmers can detect parasites in their livestock by a simple scan of a handheld machine. Where road networks allow swift transportation of produce to markets. Where farmers can access finance and be adequately insured against natural disasters by a simple click of a button.   The reality across the continent is one of  underdeveloped, underserved rural areas. Women dressed in traditional garb carry buckets of water over long distances. There is no electricity or running water and very little internet access. According to World Bank statistics 56% of Africans live in rural communities. Recent trends have shown a high rural to urban migration rate. This migration has resulted in high urban densities, rising crime rates and overcrowding in the urban areas. Neither of these situations is amenable. Which brings into light the need to empower rural communities to support economic resilience in Africa.  Also Read: COVID-19 response must target African agriculture and the rural poor Most African economies have been steadily growing. The World Economic Forum says growth in Sub Saharan Africa has averaged 5% over the past decades. Yet there are still glaring infrastructural deficiencies and high levels of poverty.  Any initiatives to grow Africa must stem from empowering rural