Skip to content
Culture & Religion

Africa’s Leadership Deficit

They cling to power rather than develop their economies, doing little to create jobs and lift millions out of poverty. So says former UN chief Kofi Annan about Africa’s leaders.
Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter
A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

What’s the Latest Development?


Former UN chief Kofi Annan told the World Economic Forum meeting in South Africa that African leaders cling onto power rather than develop their economies. A “leadership deficit” meant little was being done to create jobs and lift millions out of poverty, squandering the continent’s rapid economic growth.

What’s the Big Idea?

Leaders who cling on to the reins are selfish. Annan, pointing to the revolutions in North Africa, says its “supreme arrogance” for leaders to seek to stay in power for 30 years. “Those who have served two or three terms should make plans for their future out of government,” he told the BBC.

Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter
A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Related

Up Next