Multifaceted approach to development in Africa

Demographically diverse with more than 2,000 distinct native languages spoken, language has, from antiquity, been a barrier to commerce between the nation states and ethnic nationalities of Africa. Ironically, in more modern times, some communication barriers to commerce have been bridged by the English, French, Portuguese and Spanish languages, legacies of Africa’s colonial past – particularly in terms of negotiation, executing and enforcing trade and commercial agreements. Historically, trade in Africa has always been driven by Africa’s vast deposits of natural resources. From the past exploitation of ivory, ebony, gold and human capital in the form of slaves, trade in Africa’s rich natural endowments have expanded to more precious metals and minerals, leading to the current day extractive economy that all-too-often benefits extractors at the detriment of local economies and communities.