On this edition of Riz Khan’s Q&A, Riz sits down to talk with Sudanese telecoms billionaire, Mo Ibrahim, who is desperate for honest and sincere leaders in Africa.
Sudanese telecoms billionaire Mo Ibrahim is desperate for honest and sincere leaders in Africa — so much so that he has offered millions of dollars as a prize for good governance. But for the fourth time since it was launched in 2006, the prize has not been awarded because no candidate was found suitable.
Another closely-watched item is the annual Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures how effectively nations on the continent are run. Although often controversial and sometimes accused of pointing fingers, Ibrahim argues that his Index gives the clearest picture on how nations can improve the lives of their people.
“We run better than anybody; we jump better than everybody, really, what a wonderful people, so why are we poor?! I think we’re poor because we are being stupid, because we’re wasting our chances.”
- Mo Ibrahim
With his direct style of addressing the issues, Mo Ibrahim, criticizes the lack of information about the real Africa, saying that the West has a view of the continent shaped by Tarzan, and berates those who fear Africa’s trade with China.
“The biggest trading partner of the Europeans is the Chinese, the biggest trading partner of the Americans is the Chinese. Why, when Africa trades with China, it is wrong?”
- Mo Ibrahim
Still, Ibrahim remains optimistic that Africans can see a better future.
Stay tuned for more about Riz Khan’s interview with Mo Ibrahim! Riz Khan’s Q & A — a world of conversation.
