Over the last 20 years , the narrative on the African continent has shifted from Afro-pessimism to Afro-optimism . The truth lies somewhere in between . Now is the time for Afro-realism : for sound policies based on honest data , aimed at delivering results . The potential of our continent is huge . Compared to developed countries , or even to some major emerging countries , burdened by aging populations , financial crises , widening budget deficits , faltering faith in politics and growing social demands , Africa has become the world 's last `` New Frontier '' , a kind of `` it-continent '' . By the end of this century , half of the world 's young people will be African . Twenty years from now , by 2035 , Africa 's working age population will exceed that of China or India . Youth is our major resource . But our continent also harbors most of the world 's proven mineral reserves : 95 % of platinum , over 75 % of phosphate , 60 % of diamonds , nearly half of cobalt and chromium , more than a quarter of bauxite . Diamonds aside , 90 % of this huge potential remains untapped . In a world of growing food demand , Africa is home to two-thirds of the world 's unexploited arable land . Its solar , water , wind and nuclear energy potential are considerable . Already , over the last 10 years , Africa 's overall GDP growth has reached an annual average of 5.4 % ; more than four times the European Union average . In 2012 , 16 African countries experienced GDP growth in excess of 5 % . The latest iteration of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance shows that 94 % of the population of the continent is now living in a country where the overall level of governance has improved since 2000 . All of this is promising -- but we are still a long way from realizing our potential . Let us first stop talking about `` Africa '' as a homogeneous and uniform whole . We are a mosaic of 54 countries , each with its own flag , its own borders , and its own embassies . The African Union , whose 50th anniversary we have just celebrated , is still a long way from European-style Union , with its common market , single currency , supra-national political bodies and common and shared budget . And the road to convergence between the 54 countries is a long one . Without effective economic and political regional integration , we will not carry sufficient weight in this globalized world , no matter how much `` potential '' we may have . Only unity , coherence , and internal solidarity will allow us to assert ourselves on the global stage . The building blocks to effective integration are not political declarations , expansive Heads of State Summits or our presence and commitments at impressive multilateral gatherings . The building blocks are the free movement of people , goods and financial resources between our countries . This is the way Europe was built . As we approach Africa with an Afro-realist view , the progress made over the past decade must be understood in a nuanced fashion . The major regional conflicts of the former century have mostly ended . However , the dawn of the new century has also seen a rise in social tension , domestic unrest , and trans-national problems . Terrorist networks have gained geographical ground and widened their operating sectors , often in direct association with large , cross-border criminal networks . Young people are becoming the demographic majority . They are receiving better education than their elders . But they are also more unemployed and out of step with the demands of the global labor market . They are also feeling increasingly disconnected from the political process and devoid of economic prospects -- a trend reflected in the rise in the trafficking and consumption of drugs on the continent . Impressive economic growth is taking place all over the continent . However this coincides with a worrying rise in inequality , which deepens the divisions between countries and within them . Africa has a vast reservoir of natural resources . But to leverage this , and guarantee ownership of the African citizens , much remains to be done : ensuring transparency of contracts , creating local jobs , upgrading the value chain and redistributing wealth . Today , 90 % of Nigeria 's oil is still being exported from the continent , while just 25 % of the sub-Saharan population has access to electricity . We must focus less on international support and more on African unity . While the Marshall Plan was important for Europe 's recovery , Europe 's prosperity was really built on economic integration and policy coherence . Moving from international aid to foreign investment is progress , but it is not enough . We must move towards increasing continental investments on the continent . We must prioritize regional integration ; the reduction of inequality between and within countries ; the employment of our young people and the governance of our natural resources . Our continent has secured its political independence . It is time now to build our autonomy . READ THIS : How access to power can fuel Africa 's growth . READ THIS : Innovator calls African diaspora to return .
' ##di ##s Africa has become a kind of ` ` it - ' '' However , Africa is still a long way from realizing its potential . Recently there has been a rise in social tension , domestic violence , and transnational issues . He calls for effective economic and political regional integration .