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Spiritual mortar for the young generation

2019-01-17

Jan Rübel

Fred Swaniker is working building a new era of leaders. And what about agriculture? ‘It needs to be more sexy!’

Ich bin ein Alternativtext — ´Africa should stop importing food and instead feed itself and the world´, says Fred Swaniker. © MarkIrungu /AGRA

By Jan Rübel

Jan Rübel is author at Zeitenspiegel Reportagen, a columnist at Yahoo and writes for national newspapers and magazines. He studied History and Middle Eastern Studies.

All contributions

When Fred Swaniker travelled to Nigeria in the early noughties, he was mesmerised. So many families with gifted children looking desperately for proper education. So many who studied abroad. And so many families bending over backwards for it. I asked myself why there were no good schools here’, he recalls. At that time, he was still studying at Stanford Business School, but he sat down and began to write down his ideas.

In the end, Fred Swaniker, then 28 years old, had created a business plan for a pan-African school – the African Leadership Academy. Today it is attended by about 1000 future thought leaders and visionaries. ‘This is how we fill the gap’, says Swaniker, 42, grinning and pushing his back out of a deep armchair in the Scandic Hotel in Berlin. He has come to the German capital for the AGRA board meeting, the ‘Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa’. Why is an operations manager, business consultant and university founder dabbling in agriculture? ‘That’, Swaniker replies no longer smiling, ‘is a matter of simple math’.

Swaniker considers himself to be on a mission. ‘By 2050, Africa will have the world's largest labour force potential. So we need jobs. Agriculture is the strongest economic sector. However, while the average African smallholder is 60 years old, the average African citizen is only 19.5 years. Something isn’t adding up.’

So while Africa is the youngest continent, its smallholders are dying out. ‘We need to open up more prospects for young people in agriculture to make it look attractive, more sexy.’ After all, it’s true that no country in human history has evolved without improving the productivity of its agriculture. Swaniker is convinced: ‘We have perfect soil and conditions for cultivation. Africa should stop importing food and instead feed itself and the world.’

Swaniker considers himself to be on a mission

He might think big, but during his tenure as a business consultant, he learned how to divide problems and tackle them piece by piece. That makes them more solvable. Over the years, his passion for Africa has grown. Swaniker was four years old when his family had to flee Ghana after a military coup. By the time he celebrated his 18^th birthday, he had lived in four African countries, and his parents had to restart their lives again and again because of ‘unsafe conditions’. Swaniker recognised a pattern. ‘There was a lack of solid structures and good leaders everywhere’, he says. ‘We have to start developing it now.’

He considers the academy founded by him a great way to accomplish this. In 1957, when many African countries became independent, there were about 20,000 university graduates in the sub-Saharan region. ‘The nations had to be organised and built up’, he concludes. ‘Many African leaders were not prepared for their tasks at all.’ This first generation of founders was succeeded by a second generation that brought war, corruption and human rights violations. ‘The third generation around leaders like Nelson Mandela cleaned up. Now it's time for the fourth generation to get ready.’

At Swaniker's Academy, ‘leadership skills’ are not formally taught. ‘Our students should acquire this knowledge on their own, through much practice.’ He prefers putting them in teams and projects, letting them build organisations and inviting them to collect ideas for the small Venture Capital Fund on campus. Of course, half of the study places are intended for women. ‘We just need strong leaders’, he says. ‘Structures and institutions are often weak in African countries, and that’s why good leaders are even more necessary than in the West.’ And what would someone like Donald Trump do in Africa? Swaniker rolls his eyes. ‘In Washington D.C., Trump is controlled by parliament, by the central bank and by the courts. In Africa, he would be a destructive force.’

Swanikers school was referred to as the ‘Harvard of Africa’

Time is short. Swaniker looks at his smartphone; the next meeting is about to begin. ‘We generally have very little time’, he says. The fact that his school was once referred to as the ‘Harvard of Africa’ makes him smile. ‘Harvard took 400 years to get where it is today. In contrast, our approach is overshadowed by all these challenges, be it urbanisation, crumbling health care, lack of education, weak government structure, youth unemployment, and infrastructure.’ Harvard is an exclusive place, intended for a small elite. We, however, try to be as inclusive as possible.’ There are no tuition fees. We are focused on talents. The key criterion for admission is one question for the applicants: ‘What potential do you contribute to participate in the transformation of Africa?’

Swaniker jumps up. Is he a good leader himself? ‘I am an imperfect leader. Too impatient. Too optimistic. And too driven by results, which sometimes leads me to be harsh with people.’ But sometimes things simply have to move at a fast pace. In 2006, the non-governmental organisation ‘Echoing Green’ named him one of the 15 ‘best emerging social entrepreneurs in the world.’ In 2011, Forbes Magazine listed him as one of the ‘Top Ten Young Power Men in Africa’. Swaniker rushes to the lift. He takes it up to the top.

Back to overview

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A contribution by Michael Brüntrup (DIE)

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Human Rights, Land and Rural Development

A contribution by Michael Windfuhr (German Institute for Human Rights)

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Interview with Paul Newnham, Director of the SDG 2 Advocacy Hub.

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How Smallholders became Commodity Suppliers

Small farmers are often left behind in African agriculture. Access to markets and improved competitiveness can only be achieved if the small farms join forces. But those affected in partner countries are often at a loss as to how to implement cooperative models. Here, the BMZ provides support through the SEWOH ONE World – NO Hunger initiative and the Social Structure Promotion (Sozialstrukturförderung).

A project by Deutscher Genossenschafts- und Raiffeisenverband e. V.

The Future of Development Politics: Voices from the Parliamentary Groups

A Contribution by Journalist Jan Rübel

Representatives of the six parliamentary groups offer their views on the future of German development cooperation.

Building Better Resilience to Transboundary Threats

A Contribution by the TMG Think Tank for Sustainability

Fuelled by climate change, desert locust plagues become increasingly frequent. A plaidoyer for a paradigm shift on handling transboundary crises.

From shared conviction to global response

A Contribution by Jan Rübel

The G7 is responding to the worsening global hunger crisis by mobilizing an additional $4.5 billion for this year alone. A key milestone for this in the run-up was the international conference on global food security "Uniting for Global Food Security".

A dashboard as a key tool for global food security

A Contribution by BMZ

The Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS), jointly launched by the German G7 Presidency and the World Bank, released the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard during COP27: A Rapid Response Tool for Coordinating Global Action for Food Security.

How to govern food systems transformation

A contribution by Daniel Montas and Jan Rübel

The transformation of food systems is regarded as the new magic code, but effective strategies are lacking. A new group of experts discussed the prerequisites for efficiently managing this process. The experts representing politics, youth, civil society, farmers' organizations, private sector, and academia unanimously concluded: transformation is possible, but it needs a strong drive from within.

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An interview with Fernanda Machiaveli

After four years of the Bolsonaro administration, the new Brazilian government is trying to restart its engagement in agroecology, fighting deforestation in the Amazon and protecting indigenous communities and poor families from hunger. An interview with the Vice-minister for Rural Development and Family Farming, Fernanda Machiaveli.

“We have to focus on sustainability”

An interview with Karen Mapusua

Karen Mapusua, President of IFOAM Organics International Network, on the danger of the current fuel crises and inflation to loose track in sustainablity, why organic farmers should be heard and how the word “crisis” has a very different meaning where she lives in Fiji.

Governor's Day with Farmers – For more discussion with local actors

A contribution by William Onura and Larissa Stiem-Bhatia

In agriculture it is important to include political stakeholders in the discourse. To build the bridge between practical application and political action, the think tank TMG launched the Governor's Day with Farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya. Now it took place for the second time. But what are the goals and benefits of the Governor's Day?

Answers from the youth: "Leave or stay? That depends on it!"

GIZ study; conducted by Geopoll

Does Africa's youth want to live in the city or in the country? Which career path seems particularly attractive? And how optimistic are the young people about the future? Young adults from rural areas answered these questions by SMS.

Enough of being poor

By Marcellin Boguy

In western Africa a new middle class is emerging. Their consumer behaviour is determining the demand for products – home-produced and imported goods, on the internet or at the village market. The people of Ivory Coast in particular are looking to the future with optimism.

The Big Bang is possible

Interview with Joachim von Braun

Happy youngsters in rural areas, green development and the connection to the digital age – professor Joachim von Braun believes in this future sceneraio for Africa. For three decades the agricultural scienties has been researching how politics can create prosperty on the continent.

Video: 4 Questions to Claudia Makdristo

A video clip by Seedstars

Startups are booming in African agriculture. What are the current trend and challenges – and can other regions benefit from innovative approaches? A Video-Interview with Claudia Makadristo, Regional Manager of Seedstars

Reference values: A building block on the road to social equality

A contribution by Friederieke Martin (GIZ)

A quick and cost-effective method calculates living wages and incomes for many different countries. The GIZ together with Fairtrade International and Richard and Martha Anker have developed a tool that companies can use to easily analyse income and wage gaps.

From start to finish: a vision of interconnectivity

A contribution by Tanja Reith

At the moment, the agricultural industries of African countries exist in relative isolation. Imagine peasant farmers digitally connected to the value chains of the global food industry. How could this happen? A guidebook.

"Without peace, there will be no development"

Interview with Karina Mroß (DIE)

What contribution does development cooperation make to conflict prevention? What can it do for sustainable peace? Political scientist Karina Mroß talks to Raphael Thelen about post-conflict societies and their chances for peaceful development.

The 'Grey Gold'

A contribution by Maria Schmidt (GIZ)

The Cashew Council is the first international organisation for a raw material stemming from Africa. The industry promises to make progress in processing and refining cashew nuts - and answers to climate change

A new attempt at Africa's industrialization?

A contribution by Helmut Asche

Afrika is about ready. There are promising approaches for a sustainable industrialization. However, the path poses challenges to the continent.

No rainforest for our consumption

A contribution by Jenny Walther-Thoß (WWF)

In the tropics rainforests are still being felled for the production of palm oil, meat and furniture. It is high time to act. Proposals are on the table.

Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rural Areas

Fish is important for combating malnutrition and undernourishment. But it is not only notable for its nutritional value, but also secures the livelihoods and employment for 600 million people worldwide.

A Project of GIZ

Youth Employment in Rural Areas

The world’s population keeps on growing; with this rise comes an increased need for food as well as productive employment opportunities. Offering young people in rural areas better employment prospects is one of the objectives of the sector project. The young population is the key to a modern and efficient agricultural economy.

A project of GIZ

Youth as key actors for a transformation of agri-food systems

Five Questions for Anke Oppermann

In October, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) adopted policy recommendations ‘Promoting Youth Engagement and Employment in Agriculture and Food Systems’. Anke Oppermann answers five questions on youth employment in the agricultural sector.

Why organic is a „blessed” method

An Interview by Claudia Jordan

Three female entrepreneurs from Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Uganda tell their stories about starting organic businesses from scratch, now selling Baobab Oil, Gotukola powder and Shea butter in international markets. And they explain why their business is almost 100 percent female.

Priscilla Impraim and her chocolate business

A contribution by Jan Rübel

Priscilla Impraim is one of the first women in Ghana to enter the chocolate business. Despite some hurdles, she founded the company Ab Ovo Confectionery Limited in 2006 with currently six permanent employees and 25 seasonal employees.

Achieving more together – New forms of cooperation for sustainability in the cotton sector

A Contribution by Saskia Widenhorn

Saskia Widenhorn, Head of the Cotton Component in Cameroon and the Sub-Saharan Cotton Initiative at GIZ, reports on the Bremer Cotton Week, which brought together international industry experts. The agenda included supply chain transparency, sustainability and new forms of cooperation between the private sector and partner countries.

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Spiritual mortar for the young generation

By Jan Rübel

Swaniker considers himself to be on a mission

Swanikers school was referred to as the ‘Harvard of Africa’

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