3.1% I’m a biggest kind of person so I like that number I’d like you to hold on
like that number I’d like you to hold on
like that number I’d like you to hold on to it because I’ll come back to it I
to it because I’ll come back to it I
to it because I’ll come back to it I want to tell you a story about my
want to tell you a story about my
want to tell you a story about my leadership journey I’m going to tell you
leadership journey I’m going to tell you
leadership journey I’m going to tell you the story as it revolves around three
the story as it revolves around three
the story as it revolves around three pivotal years of my life the first year
pivotal years of my life the first year
pivotal years of my life the first year I want to talk to you about is 1983
I want to talk to you about is 1983
I want to talk to you about is 1983 survival 1983 was a year that I moved
survival 1983 was a year that I moved
survival 1983 was a year that I moved with my parents and my siblings to live
with my parents and my siblings to live
with my parents and my siblings to live in Ghana prior to 1983 I was a little
in Ghana prior to 1983 I was a little
in Ghana prior to 1983 I was a little girl growing up in Northwest London
girl growing up in Northwest London
girl growing up in Northwest London where I had been born and like most
where I had been born and like most
where I had been born and like most little children of African parents in
little children of African parents in
little children of African parents in London I was fascinated by their stories
London I was fascinated by their stories
London I was fascinated by their stories their nostalgic stories of their lives
their nostalgic stories of their lives
their nostalgic stories of their lives growing up in for in Africa than the
growing up in for in Africa than the
growing up in for in Africa than the context of my parents in Ghana and it
context of my parents in Ghana and it
context of my parents in Ghana and it seemed like all their friends and
seemed like all their friends and
seemed like all their friends and relatives seemed to share the same
relatives seemed to share the same
relatives seemed to share the same nostalgic positive excitement and warmth
nostalgic positive excitement and warmth
nostalgic positive excitement and warmth every time they talked about Ghana and
every time they talked about Ghana and
every time they talked about Ghana and for me living in London the prospect of
for me living in London the prospect of
for me living in London the prospect of permanent sunshine plus all this
permanent sunshine plus all this
permanent sunshine plus all this nostalgia and only one thing this place
nostalgia and only one thing this place
nostalgia and only one thing this place has got to be paradise I couldn’t wait
has got to be paradise I couldn’t wait
has got to be paradise I couldn’t wait to have my day in paradise but before we
to have my day in paradise but before we
to have my day in paradise but before we got to 1983 my father got a job in
got to 1983 my father got a job in
got to 1983 my father got a job in Nigeria and so we ended up moving to
Nigeria and so we ended up moving to
Nigeria and so we ended up moving to Nigeria first two years before and I was
Nigeria first two years before and I was
Nigeria first two years before and I was in alman school in Nigeria and like most
in alman school in Nigeria and like most
in alman school in Nigeria and like most children of the time I had a Ghanaian
children of the time I had a Ghanaian
children of the time I had a Ghanaian teacher who thought that I should know
teacher who thought that I should know
teacher who thought that I should know everything about Ghana because I was
everything about Ghana because I was
everything about Ghana because I was from Ghana
from Ghana
from Ghana it also represented the fact that there
it also represented the fact that there
it also represented the fact that there was a huge influx of ghanians in Nigeria
was a huge influx of ghanians in Nigeria
was a huge influx of ghanians in Nigeria at the time so in 1983 the Nigerian
at the time so in 1983 the Nigerian
at the time so in 1983 the Nigerian government asked all guardians to leave
government asked all guardians to leave
government asked all guardians to leave it was a fascinating experience for me
it was a fascinating experience for me
it was a fascinating experience for me you get told to leave and you’d be
you get told to leave and you’d be
you get told to leave and you’d be walking down the street and your
walking down the street and your
walking down the street and your Nigerian neighbor will say hey Omar
Nigerian neighbor will say hey Omar
Nigerian neighbor will say hey Omar gonna you know go go so we had to pack
gonna you know go go so we had to pack
gonna you know go go so we had to pack our bags and we arrived in Ghana and I
our bags and we arrived in Ghana and I
our bags and we arrived in Ghana and I say I probably was one of the more
say I probably was one of the more
say I probably was one of the more fortunate who hadn’t didn’t have to
fortunate who hadn’t didn’t have to
fortunate who hadn’t didn’t have to drive from Lagos or Lagos chakra in
drive from Lagos or Lagos chakra in
drive from Lagos or Lagos chakra in those really huge trucks that carried
those really huge trucks that carried
those really huge trucks that carried people 1983 was a year when the rains
people 1983 was a year when the rains
people 1983 was a year when the rains had failed in Ghana and so there was a
had failed in Ghana and so there was a
had failed in Ghana and so there was a drought and food was scarce in addition
drought and food was scarce in addition
drought and food was scarce in addition to a lack of food a million mouths
to a lack of food a million mouths
to a lack of food a million mouths including mine descended on Ghana from
including mine descended on Ghana from
including mine descended on Ghana from Nigeria it was a difficult experience it
Nigeria it was a difficult experience it
Nigeria it was a difficult experience it wasn’t a matter of whether you had money
wasn’t a matter of whether you had money
wasn’t a matter of whether you had money or not it was a question of could you
or not it was a question of could you
or not it was a question of could you find the food to buy you know King K as
find the food to buy you know King K as
find the food to buy you know King K as someone of you may know is a staple food
someone of you may know is a staple food
someone of you may know is a staple food in southern Ghana and at the time people
in southern Ghana and at the time people
in southern Ghana and at the time people were willing to buy raw uncooked kinky
were willing to buy raw uncooked kinky
were willing to buy raw uncooked kinky to take home and boil for themselves
to take home and boil for themselves
to take home and boil for themselves just to have the assurance that they’d
just to have the assurance that they’d
just to have the assurance that they’d get hold of it and to buy bread you
get hold of it and to buy bread you
get hold of it and to buy bread you needed to know the right people and so
needed to know the right people and so
needed to know the right people and so having parents who had been gone from
having parents who had been gone from
having parents who had been gone from Ghana for so long and my parents in
Ghana for so long and my parents in
Ghana for so long and my parents in addition were not even City people
addition were not even City people
addition were not even City people before they left Ghana we didn’t know
before they left Ghana we didn’t know
before they left Ghana we didn’t know these right people who provide bread
these right people who provide bread
these right people who provide bread sorry it was a traumatic experience I’m
sorry it was a traumatic experience I’m
sorry it was a traumatic experience I’m glad I can say it with a smile and laugh
glad I can say it with a smile and laugh
glad I can say it with a smile and laugh what was a traumatic experience to start
what was a traumatic experience to start
what was a traumatic experience to start a stark contrast to the life that I had
a stark contrast to the life that I had
a stark contrast to the life that I had become accustomed to and in that time I
become accustomed to and in that time I
become accustomed to and in that time I learned something I learnt and I
learned something I learnt and I
learned something I learnt and I experienced the life of the average
experienced the life of the average
experienced the life of the average African child I
African child I
African child I learn that sometimes life is about
learn that sometimes life is about
learn that sometimes life is about survival I learned to survive and the
survival I learned to survive and the
survival I learned to survive and the good news today is that African
good news today is that African
good news today is that African countries at least we know better than
countries at least we know better than
countries at least we know better than some we don’t expect expect a expel each
some we don’t expect expect a expel each
some we don’t expect expect a expel each other any longer
other any longer
other any longer Nigeria expelled guardians because
Nigeria expelled guardians because
Nigeria expelled guardians because apparently guardians had done the same
apparently guardians had done the same
apparently guardians had done the same previously so it was a tit for tat but
previously so it was a tit for tat but
previously so it was a tit for tat but we’ve moved on from that and that’s a
we’ve moved on from that and that’s a
we’ve moved on from that and that’s a good thing but what hasn’t changed for
good thing but what hasn’t changed for
good thing but what hasn’t changed for most African children is the experience
most African children is the experience
most African children is the experience of survival for most of them they have
of survival for most of them they have
of survival for most of them they have to hope to get access to relatively
to hope to get access to relatively
to hope to get access to relatively decent health care to survive their
decent health care to survive their
decent health care to survive their childhood and then if they survive that
childhood and then if they survive that
childhood and then if they survive that childhood they might be lucky to get
childhood they might be lucky to get
childhood they might be lucky to get access to some form of Education
access to some form of Education
access to some form of Education education that will provide them with
education that will provide them with
education that will provide them with information but won’t necessarily
information but won’t necessarily
information but won’t necessarily challenge their thinking and then if
challenge their thinking and then if
challenge their thinking and then if they’re lucky and that one of the
they’re lucky and that one of the
they’re lucky and that one of the unfortunate ones they made their parents
unfortunate ones they made their parents
unfortunate ones they made their parents may be able to put food on the table
may be able to put food on the table
may be able to put food on the table every single day and after all of that
every single day and after all of that
every single day and after all of that of that hassle through life they might
of that hassle through life they might
of that hassle through life they might just maybe get a decent job 1983 was
just maybe get a decent job 1983 was
just maybe get a decent job 1983 was when I started learning to survive and I
when I started learning to survive and I
when I started learning to survive and I spent a decade in Ghana in that period
spent a decade in Ghana in that period
spent a decade in Ghana in that period and thankfully Ghana made steady
and thankfully Ghana made steady
and thankfully Ghana made steady progress and we didn’t starve any longer
progress and we didn’t starve any longer
progress and we didn’t starve any longer after that but I learned the lesson
after that but I learned the lesson
after that but I learned the lesson survival which informed my journey going
survival which informed my journey going
survival which informed my journey going forward back to the UK to study to
forward back to the UK to study to
forward back to the UK to study to finish my higher education and become an
finish my higher education and become an
finish my higher education and become an engineer but that hunger never left me I
engineer but that hunger never left me I
engineer but that hunger never left me I was always searching always looking for
was always searching always looking for
was always searching always looking for how I was going to go back and do
how I was going to go back and do
how I was going to go back and do something about that situation that I
something about that situation that I
something about that situation that I know that some African child is still
know that some African child is still
know that some African child is still living in 2008 as a year that I believe
living in 2008 as a year that I believe
living in 2008 as a year that I believe my leadership journey truly began and in
my leadership journey truly began and in
my leadership journey truly began and in that year I managed to get a job in a
that year I managed to get a job in a
that year I managed to get a job in a telecommunications company and with my
telecommunications company and with my
telecommunications company and with my children and my family we moved back to
children and my family we moved back to
children and my family we moved back to Ghana we moved to Ghana to work in a
Ghana we moved to Ghana to work in a
Ghana we moved to Ghana to work in a role where I could influence
role where I could influence
role where I could influence I thought what went on and be part of a
I thought what went on and be part of a
I thought what went on and be part of a positive transformational journey how
positive transformational journey how
positive transformational journey how wrong could I have been sometimes we
wrong could I have been sometimes we
wrong could I have been sometimes we feel that just our presence by showing
feel that just our presence by showing
feel that just our presence by showing up we have you know one a one then we’re
up we have you know one a one then we’re
up we have you know one a one then we’re just going to wave it and push push push
just going to wave it and push push push
just going to wave it and push push push everything’s going to work out and turn
everything’s going to work out and turn
everything’s going to work out and turn out beautifully it didn’t work like that
out beautifully it didn’t work like that
out beautifully it didn’t work like that and I was so frustrated I complained
and I was so frustrated I complained
and I was so frustrated I complained about everything people don’t show up on
about everything people don’t show up on
about everything people don’t show up on time things don’t work they’re too lazy
time things don’t work they’re too lazy
time things don’t work they’re too lazy can’t they see that we have to do this
can’t they see that we have to do this
can’t they see that we have to do this together and so I set about challenging
together and so I set about challenging
together and so I set about challenging myself trying to understand why I felt
myself trying to understand why I felt
myself trying to understand why I felt so challenged as part of this change
so challenged as part of this change
so challenged as part of this change journey and I remember a conversation I
journey and I remember a conversation I
journey and I remember a conversation I had with a driver in our company and I
had with a driver in our company and I
had with a driver in our company and I was trying to draw out of him as I did
was trying to draw out of him as I did
was trying to draw out of him as I did with other people what is it what is it
with other people what is it what is it
with other people what is it what is it about what I’m trying to say and do that
about what I’m trying to say and do that
about what I’m trying to say and do that people don’t get and he said to me he
people don’t get and he said to me he
people don’t get and he said to me he said madam if you want to change
said madam if you want to change
said madam if you want to change anything for people you need to get into
anything for people you need to get into
anything for people you need to get into the gutter with them I thought wow for
the gutter with them I thought wow for
the gutter with them I thought wow for all my years of experience and learning
all my years of experience and learning
all my years of experience and learning and thinking I know what to do he has
and thinking I know what to do he has
and thinking I know what to do he has probably taught me my most important
probably taught me my most important
probably taught me my most important leadership lesson we can’t create change
leadership lesson we can’t create change
leadership lesson we can’t create change from the outside in change doesn’t
from the outside in change doesn’t
from the outside in change doesn’t happen through spectators change happens
happen through spectators change happens
happen through spectators change happens from the inside out at least if you want
from the inside out at least if you want
from the inside out at least if you want it to be sustainable change you’ve got
it to be sustainable change you’ve got
it to be sustainable change you’ve got to be part and understand the lives that
to be part and understand the lives that
to be part and understand the lives that people live to change them inside out
people live to change them inside out
people live to change them inside out understanding their walk understanding
understanding their walk understanding
understanding their walk understanding what makes their lives what they are so
what makes their lives what they are so
what makes their lives what they are so that you can change with them and that
that you can change with them and that
that you can change with them and that is where change is happening in Africa
is where change is happening in Africa
is where change is happening in Africa today where people are willing to drive
today where people are willing to drive
today where people are willing to drive the change from within 2010 in 2010 I
the change from within 2010 in 2010 I
the change from within 2010 in 2010 I learnt what it means to inspire people
learnt what it means to inspire people
learnt what it means to inspire people but I learned in the very long-winded
but I learned in the very long-winded
but I learned in the very long-winded way my company asked me to go and work
way my company asked me to go and work
way my company asked me to go and work in the Democratic Republic of Congo
in the Democratic Republic of Congo
in the Democratic Republic of Congo and for those of you who really
and for those of you who really
and for those of you who really understand how things work in Africa I
understand how things work in Africa I
understand how things work in Africa I know the whole world thing that Africa
know the whole world thing that Africa
know the whole world thing that Africa is this blob but in reality it’s 54
is this blob but in reality it’s 54
is this blob but in reality it’s 54 different countries and everyone has had
different countries and everyone has had
different countries and everyone has had a slightly different experience whether
a slightly different experience whether
a slightly different experience whether it’s independence
it’s independence
it’s independence whether it’s you know subtleties of
whether it’s you know subtleties of
whether it’s you know subtleties of culture food we eat what we do or will
culture food we eat what we do or will
culture food we eat what we do or will we persistently see in the media so the
we persistently see in the media so the
we persistently see in the media so the prospect of going to DRC was an
prospect of going to DRC was an
prospect of going to DRC was an opportunity for me to get an even bigger
opportunity for me to get an even bigger
opportunity for me to get an even bigger job as a chief marketing officer of my
job as a chief marketing officer of my
job as a chief marketing officer of my company but everybody anybody who
company but everybody anybody who
company but everybody anybody who thought they cared about me said please
thought they cared about me said please
thought they cared about me said please please whatever you do don’t go to the
please whatever you do don’t go to the
please whatever you do don’t go to the DRC and then when I insisted which
DRC and then when I insisted which
DRC and then when I insisted which people thought maybe she’s just that
people thought maybe she’s just that
people thought maybe she’s just that obstinate okay you can go but leave the
obstinate okay you can go but leave the
obstinate okay you can go but leave the children why don’t people live in the
children why don’t people live in the
children why don’t people live in the DRC other things happening in the DRC so
DRC other things happening in the DRC so
DRC other things happening in the DRC so I went I went to the DRC not only did I
I went I went to the DRC not only did I
I went I went to the DRC not only did I go but I also took my children with me
go but I also took my children with me
go but I also took my children with me and while working in the DRC I met an
and while working in the DRC I met an
and while working in the DRC I met an inspired young man an inspired Congolese
inspired young man an inspired Congolese
inspired young man an inspired Congolese young man who had never left the
young man who had never left the
young man who had never left the Democratic Republic of Congo yet had all
Democratic Republic of Congo yet had all
Democratic Republic of Congo yet had all his education in the DRC and he came to
his education in the DRC and he came to
his education in the DRC and he came to me at the time in our company and asked
me at the time in our company and asked
me at the time in our company and asked for an opportunity you see at that time
for an opportunity you see at that time
for an opportunity you see at that time he was working in IT security and I
he was working in IT security and I
he was working in IT security and I don’t know whether anybody in this room
don’t know whether anybody in this room
don’t know whether anybody in this room knows this secret but I have found the
knows this secret but I have found the
knows this secret but I have found the DRC to be one of the most innovative
DRC to be one of the most innovative
DRC to be one of the most innovative places in the whole of Africa
places in the whole of Africa
places in the whole of Africa particularly when it comes to technology
particularly when it comes to technology
particularly when it comes to technology and IT but he asked me to be put in
and IT but he asked me to be put in
and IT but he asked me to be put in charge of a new revenue stream that we
charge of a new revenue stream that we
charge of a new revenue stream that we had and that revenue stream was what we
had and that revenue stream was what we
had and that revenue stream was what we call data today it’s what encompasses
call data today it’s what encompasses
call data today it’s what encompasses all things I’m a infinite there was data
all things I’m a infinite there was data
all things I’m a infinite there was data and I said to him well I’m willing to
and I said to him well I’m willing to
and I said to him well I’m willing to give you the opportunity but you’re
give you the opportunity but you’re
give you the opportunity but you’re still going to have to do your IT
still going to have to do your IT
still going to have to do your IT security job and you’re going to have to
security job and you’re going to have to
security job and you’re going to have to also do this new job and he was
also do this new job and he was
also do this new job and he was absolutely fine by it he embraced the
absolutely fine by it he embraced the
absolutely fine by it he embraced the opportunity to prove himself and in
opportunity to prove himself and in
opportunity to prove himself and in embracing that opportunity to improve
embracing that opportunity to improve
embracing that opportunity to improve himself he pushed himself to prove him
himself he pushed himself to prove him
himself he pushed himself to prove him he pushed himself and in pushing himself
he pushed himself and in pushing himself
he pushed himself and in pushing himself he delivered phenomenal results in
he delivered phenomenal results in
he delivered phenomenal results in business we like to see graphs that go
business we like to see graphs that go
business we like to see graphs that go upwards I’m doing that because hopefully
upwards I’m doing that because hopefully
upwards I’m doing that because hopefully it’s the right way for you
it’s the right way for you
it’s the right way for you his graph was exponential literally his
his graph was exponential literally his
his graph was exponential literally his inspiration met with opportunity and he
inspiration met with opportunity and he
inspiration met with opportunity and he has since gone on to work in many
has since gone on to work in many
has since gone on to work in many countries in Senegal in Ghana and
countries in Senegal in Ghana and
countries in Senegal in Ghana and inspired many young people on the
inspired many young people on the
inspired many young people on the continent every time I see him every
continent every time I see him every
continent every time I see him every time I speak to I know that he is one of
time I speak to I know that he is one of
time I speak to I know that he is one of the pivotal people in our readiness and
the pivotal people in our readiness and
the pivotal people in our readiness and our prep our drive in the digital age
our prep our drive in the digital age
our prep our drive in the digital age across Africa
so when you’ve been through all of this
so when you’ve been through all of this and you’ve seen all that um Africa has
and you’ve seen all that um Africa has
and you’ve seen all that um Africa has to offer it makes you think a bit more
to offer it makes you think a bit more
to offer it makes you think a bit more about Africa it makes you think about
about Africa it makes you think about
about Africa it makes you think about what is our hope and ambition for Africa
what is our hope and ambition for Africa
what is our hope and ambition for Africa you see for too long the goal has been
you see for too long the goal has been
you see for too long the goal has been to eliminate poverty why is that a goal
to eliminate poverty why is that a goal
to eliminate poverty why is that a goal how can the elimination of poverty be
how can the elimination of poverty be
how can the elimination of poverty be actually called a goal are we trying to
actually called a goal are we trying to
actually called a goal are we trying to make people attain a certain level that
make people attain a certain level that
make people attain a certain level that we expect as acceptable or what are we
we expect as acceptable or what are we
we expect as acceptable or what are we trying to make things a little better
trying to make things a little better
trying to make things a little better from where they are today let me put it
from where they are today let me put it
from where they are today let me put it another way I like running I’m not a
another way I like running I’m not a
another way I like running I’m not a sprinter I like to run long distances
sprinter I like to run long distances
sprinter I like to run long distances but I think the best analogy comes from
but I think the best analogy comes from
but I think the best analogy comes from running when you’re running a hundred
running when you’re running a hundred
running when you’re running a hundred meter race are you running away from the
meter race are you running away from the
meter race are you running away from the start line or are you running to the
start line or are you running to the
start line or are you running to the finish line they’re not the same thing
finish line they’re not the same thing
finish line they’re not the same thing or if you go to a village where there’s
or if you go to a village where there’s
or if you go to a village where there’s no water is the provision of a borehole
no water is the provision of a borehole
no water is the provision of a borehole the end game or an interim solution why
the end game or an interim solution why
the end game or an interim solution why can’t the ambition be to provide a
can’t the ambition be to provide a
can’t the ambition be to provide a sustainable water supply system that not
sustainable water supply system that not
sustainable water supply system that not only improves health care but the
only improves health care but the
only improves health care but the economic outcome of that village
economic outcome of that village
economic outcome of that village why is the perspective that a little
why is the perspective that a little
why is the perspective that a little better it is okay acceptable when what
better it is okay acceptable when what
better it is okay acceptable when what we should be aiming for is what
we should be aiming for is what
we should be aiming for is what everybody else deserves any human being
everybody else deserves any human being
everybody else deserves any human being on the planet deserves and so I believe
on the planet deserves and so I believe
on the planet deserves and so I believe that we need to focus on creating
that we need to focus on creating
that we need to focus on creating prosperity for Africa and when I say
prosperity for Africa and when I say
prosperity for Africa and when I say prosperity our ambition should be to
prosperity our ambition should be to
prosperity our ambition should be to change life in Africa from survival to
change life in Africa from survival to
change life in Africa from survival to thrive thriving people need to be given
thrive thriving people need to be given
thrive thriving people need to be given the opportunity to to thrive enjoy life
the opportunity to to thrive enjoy life
the opportunity to to thrive enjoy life and do all the wonderful things that we
and do all the wonderful things that we
and do all the wonderful things that we think that people should do that we
think that people should do that we
think that people should do that we deserve to do and to do that we need a
deserve to do and to do that we need a
deserve to do and to do that we need a bit more than what is talked about and
bit more than what is talked about and
bit more than what is talked about and what is seen today we need a new normal
what is seen today we need a new normal
what is seen today we need a new normal we need a new normal that changes what
we need a new normal that changes what
we need a new normal that changes what Africa is today a new normal that is
Africa is today a new normal that is
Africa is today a new normal that is bold a new normal that is confident a
bold a new normal that is confident a
bold a new normal that is confident a new normal that doesn’t clap for a
new normal that doesn’t clap for a
new normal that doesn’t clap for a borehole it just says tick what’s next a
borehole it just says tick what’s next a
borehole it just says tick what’s next a new normal that says having decent
new normal that says having decent
new normal that says having decent healthcare isn’t a nice-to-have
healthcare isn’t a nice-to-have
healthcare isn’t a nice-to-have it’s a fundamental necessity that we can
it’s a fundamental necessity that we can
it’s a fundamental necessity that we can work for because we have the resources
work for because we have the resources
work for because we have the resources for it but we haven’t decided to do it
for it but we haven’t decided to do it
for it but we haven’t decided to do it yet that’s what we need to work towards
yet that’s what we need to work towards
yet that’s what we need to work towards a bold new normal 3.1% hopefully I’ve
a bold new normal 3.1% hopefully I’ve
a bold new normal 3.1% hopefully I’ve had you guessing for a while what that
had you guessing for a while what that
had you guessing for a while what that figure is well the good news is that 3.1
figure is well the good news is that 3.1
figure is well the good news is that 3.1 percent is very close to Russia’s GDP in
percent is very close to Russia’s GDP in
percent is very close to Russia’s GDP in 2015
2015
2015 Russia’s GDP in 2015 was 3.3 percent
Russia’s GDP in 2015 was 3.3 percent
Russia’s GDP in 2015 was 3.3 percent actually 3.3 percent of global GDP was
actually 3.3 percent of global GDP was
actually 3.3 percent of global GDP was Russia 3.3 percent 3.1 percent is
Russia 3.3 percent 3.1 percent is
Russia 3.3 percent 3.1 percent is actually the GDP of the whole of
actually the GDP of the whole of
actually the GDP of the whole of sub-saharan Africa in 2015 our share of
sub-saharan Africa in 2015 our share of
sub-saharan Africa in 2015 our share of global GDP 3.1 percent is our share of
global GDP 3.1 percent is our share of
global GDP 3.1 percent is our share of global GDP
global GDP
global GDP supposed to support 1 billion
supposed to support 1 billion
supposed to support 1 billion sub-saharan Africans is the share of
sub-saharan Africans is the share of
sub-saharan Africans is the share of global GDP that’s supposed to support 14
global GDP that’s supposed to support 14
global GDP that’s supposed to support 14 percent of the world’s population I
percent of the world’s population I
percent of the world’s population I don’t think I need to see much more you
don’t think I need to see much more you
don’t think I need to see much more you get the picture the math isn’t right the
get the picture the math isn’t right the
get the picture the math isn’t right the math isn’t right and for me the next
math isn’t right and for me the next
math isn’t right and for me the next time someone talks about rising please
time someone talks about rising please
time someone talks about rising please tell them humbly for me that that’s not
tell them humbly for me that that’s not
tell them humbly for me that that’s not enough that pat on the shoulder about a
enough that pat on the shoulder about a
enough that pat on the shoulder about a little growth is sufficient that the
little growth is sufficient that the
little growth is sufficient that the ambitions are much bigger and greater
ambitions are much bigger and greater
ambitions are much bigger and greater than that that we’re bold and we’re
than that that we’re bold and we’re
than that that we’re bold and we’re confident about the future and I tell
confident about the future and I tell
confident about the future and I tell you why I tell you why because in five
you why I tell you why because in five
you why I tell you why because in five years from now according to the IMF our
years from now according to the IMF our
years from now according to the IMF our GDP contribution to the world will grow
GDP contribution to the world will grow
GDP contribution to the world will grow to a whopping 3.2 percent
to a whopping 3.2 percent
to a whopping 3.2 percent Wow we’re going to rise from three point
Wow we’re going to rise from three point
Wow we’re going to rise from three point one to three points are we deserve a
one to three points are we deserve a
one to three points are we deserve a round of applause I’m sorry we we’re
round of applause I’m sorry we we’re
round of applause I’m sorry we we’re just we’re just really it 3.2 percent
just we’re just really it 3.2 percent
just we’re just really it 3.2 percent and 1.1 billion people is not ambition
and 1.1 billion people is not ambition
and 1.1 billion people is not ambition for me
for me
for me you see Africa has taught me to be
you see Africa has taught me to be
you see Africa has taught me to be ambitious to lead to thrive to drive
ambitious to lead to thrive to drive
ambitious to lead to thrive to drive Africa hasn’t taught itself enough of
Africa hasn’t taught itself enough of
Africa hasn’t taught itself enough of the lessons it’s taught me we need to
the lessons it’s taught me we need to
the lessons it’s taught me we need to teach Africa the lessons it teaches us
teach Africa the lessons it teaches us
teach Africa the lessons it teaches us because everybody in this room has been
because everybody in this room has been
because everybody in this room has been taught by Africa everybody has goals
taught by Africa everybody has goals
taught by Africa everybody has goals dreams and ambitions that are much
dreams and ambitions that are much
dreams and ambitions that are much greater than what the world expects of
greater than what the world expects of
greater than what the world expects of Africa so here’s what we’re going to do
Africa so here’s what we’re going to do
Africa so here’s what we’re going to do we are going to change mindsets not just
we are going to change mindsets not just
we are going to change mindsets not just our own
our own
our own but the mindsets of every single person
but the mindsets of every single person
but the mindsets of every single person who can’t we come across whether they’re
who can’t we come across whether they’re
who can’t we come across whether they’re African or not what they think of Africa
African or not what they think of Africa
African or not what they think of Africa and we’re going to change mindsets by
and we’re going to change mindsets by
and we’re going to change mindsets by changing our language right please don’t
changing our language right please don’t
changing our language right please don’t let anybody patronize you with rising
let anybody patronize you with rising
let anybody patronize you with rising ever again because it’s the kind of
ever again because it’s the kind of
ever again because it’s the kind of language that says a little more for you
language that says a little more for you
language that says a little more for you is good enough and it’s not and so we’ll
is good enough and it’s not and so we’ll
is good enough and it’s not and so we’ll change our language and speak about the
change our language and speak about the
change our language and speak about the big and great things that other people
big and great things that other people
big and great things that other people speak about because
speak about because
speak about because we too have an amazing continent it has
we too have an amazing continent it has
we too have an amazing continent it has everything that it takes to actually be
everything that it takes to actually be
everything that it takes to actually be probably the wealthiest right we have a
probably the wealthiest right we have a
probably the wealthiest right we have a river in the DRC the Congo River that
river in the DRC the Congo River that
river in the DRC the Congo River that can actually provide enough power for
can actually provide enough power for
can actually provide enough power for pretty much the whole current continents
pretty much the whole current continents
pretty much the whole current continents and beyond
and beyond
and beyond I could go on all night but the truth of
I could go on all night but the truth of
I could go on all night but the truth of the matter is our decision around our
the matter is our decision around our
the matter is our decision around our boldness and confidence that is required
boldness and confidence that is required
boldness and confidence that is required and once we to enter and to be able to
and once we to enter and to be able to
and once we to enter and to be able to change that language that we speak we
change that language that we speak we
change that language that we speak we have to change our vision our view has
have to change our vision our view has
have to change our vision our view has to change we change our vision or we
to change we change our vision or we
to change we change our vision or we hope for we change our language and that
hope for we change our language and that
hope for we change our language and that changes mindsets and so I think we can
changes mindsets and so I think we can
changes mindsets and so I think we can all come to a common agreement but what
all come to a common agreement but what
all come to a common agreement but what we really want is a new normal a new
we really want is a new normal a new
we really want is a new normal a new normal of an Africa where everyone
normal of an Africa where everyone
normal of an Africa where everyone prospers not as the right but because
prospers not as the right but because
prospers not as the right but because they can and they should and we will be
they can and they should and we will be
they can and they should and we will be part of that today and always thank you
part of that today and always thank you
part of that today and always thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] you
”
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