Having lived in both Africa and Latin America, there is an economic gap that I am interested in exploring between the two continents.
When I look at the history, it makes we wonder how the Colonials disregarded our differences to make the world work for them. They looked at Africa and Latin America and did not care about the differences and created trade that ultimately led to development and economic growth. Today, this route is not as popular as it used to be.
As a Nigerian, I am happy with some of the common attributes of being a Nigerian which are, we do not know how to stay in our place, we do not accept limitation and we passionately hate the idea that some history made hundreds of years ago can define who we are today.
My topic is interest relates to Afrodescendientes. I look at the underdevelopment taking place in places like Nuqui and Quibdo and I see what many places in Africa used to look like.
The Nigerian in me tells me, with the use of technology, many of the issues that Afrodescendientes face can be resolved.
Why cant e-commerce enable a farmer in Quibdo or Nuqui sell his produce directly to the Restaurant tables in Bogota?
Why can’t Choco be used as the Headquarters of African introduction into Latin America?
On one of my trips to San Andres in Colombia, one of the most heart warming moments for me was meeting an Afrodescendiente who was working as a tour guide, she greeted me saying, «mi Sangre» I immediately knew I was going to give her a tip. The point of the connection to me is that Africa and Afrodescendientes share the same mother and if that connection can create economic prosperity, then why not.
An idea from Lesotho, Senegal or Kenya can be implemented in Choco and then rolled out to the rest of Colombia, with technology, as well as an idea from Choco Colombia exported across Africa. why not!
