Expert urges African leaders to focus on regional integration via technology

Mr Joel Chimhanda, the Founder, JC Capital, South Africa has advised African leaders to focus on regional integration.

Chimhanda gave the advice while speaking with Daily Times in an interview during the “Innovation Series 6.0 Edition’’ organised by Verdant Zeal Group in Lagos with the theme: “How Technology is Driving Africa’s New Narrative”, adding that regional integration is non-negotiable.

“African leaders should enter into agreement with each other to upgrade cooperation through institutions and rules, while those leading should work together with their counterparts.

“African leaders should not sign any bilateral deal with China, India, America and Brazil. The law is the basis for contract and if we do not have the same law, they will always beat us every time and they will end up at the international tribunal.

“They can’t do a deal in Africa and sign it in English Law, or do a deal in Nigeria and sign the deal in America Law.

“African deal should be signed in African continent and American deal sign on America land,” he affirmed.
“You will be surprised to see that when a China is awarded a contract here, they will come with their own regulator, engineers, China EximBank to negotiate with Nigeria,” he noted.

He suggested that recognised African leaders need to work with others to promote regional economic growth.
“Those African countries that meet the terms of world investment should be allowed to lead in the region to promote investments.

“Nigerian Government should work with the Ghanaian and Senegalese Governments because Ghana and Senegal are acceptable investment destination, while Nigeria is not.

“So that at the end of the day, the regional economic growth will be given a chance,” he added.
Chimhanda lamented that unless and until Africa begins to do things their own way, development and growth will remain elusive to the continent.

He stressed that Africa can only grow when African major leaders sit in a room to discuss a new way forward for the continent based on the opportunities technology is offering.

He advised that African nations, spear-headed by Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya should tap into the opportunity provided by technology through some of the Telecom companies, and the rich Africans like Aluko Dangote who are trail blazers in different fields of the economy.

According to him, Africa cannot compete globally without taking technology into consideration, adding that it is imperative that African businessmen and leaders create a cluster where young Africans can be gathered and trained on how to key into the new order provided by technology.

This cluster, the Founder, JC Capital, South Africa said will enable young Africans garner the requisite skill required to lift themselves and Africa out of poverty level, thus cutting off the shackles of neocolonialism, which is having adverse effect on the continent at the moment.

He chided the media, however for not looking at critical issues affecting the continent which bother on corruption.