A stellar line-up of speakers recently discussed contemporary developments on the African continent at the TEDxEuston event in London.

The third edition of the annual event was held on 26th November 2011 at the Royal Institute of British Architects under the theme: “Africa: Redefine; Reimagine”.

Speakers included the Rt. Hon Paul Boateng, a Labour Party politician, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State in Nigeria, actor Kwame Kwei-Armah and Hadeel Ibrahim, founding Executive Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which supports good governance and great leadership in Africa.

Rt. Hon Boateng emphasised that linking science, technology and innovation together in the agricultural field would have a huge impact on job prospects. “We continue to look outside of Africa for our salvation. Africa needs to move from sentiment to strategy, and let strategy be based on mutual respect not dollars,” he said.

Talking about “the danger of the single story”, TV producer Moky Makura said that the world sees only one side of Africa; the famine, war, poverty and AIDS, and keeps telling this same story. “This is not a realistic depiction of Africa,” she said.

Ms. Makura called on the media to show the other side of Africa; the inspiring stories of the continent.

Kola Karim, Chief Executive of Shoreline Energy International spoke about entrepreneurship opportunities in Africa. “Using determination and focus, we can unlock the natural resources under the soil of Africa. We can identify a market and find a product that can fulfil what the market needs.”

Toyin Saraki and Helen Lieberman shared personal stories about healthcare. Ms. Saraki described how her treatment during childbirth in Nigeria prompted her to found The WellBeing Foundation, a maternal and child health focused non-profit organisation. Ms Lieberman, founder and Honorary President of The Future of our Nation, a grassroots organisation in South Africa, told of her struggle during the days of apartheid to help the citizens of Cape Town’s townships receive medical care.

Writer and activist Paula Akugizibwe continued on the healthcare topic by speaking out on the pharmaceutical companies who seek monetary gain over helping those in need.

Attendees also heard about the northern African perspective through Ms. Ibrahim’s speech. Reflecting on the political unrest that we have seen across northern Africa this year, she explained that African presidents have few exit strategies. “What you can do to achieve a healthy and peaceful life after your presidency is to do a good job and leave on time.”

Ms. Ibrahim also said that Africa needs to allow the free movement of labour and capital markets across its 54 nations, as currently the bureaucracy involved in moving across the different countries makes things difficult. Once we do this Africa would be in a better position to compete economically, she said.

TEDxEuston aims to reflect ideas and inspired thinking of a new generation of African thinkers and leaders, positive about their continent and confident in their ability to shape its future. The speakers are all Africans committed to engaging in an active and meaningful manner with their continent.

TEDxEuston is part of TED, a non-profit organisation dedicated to Ideas Worth Spreading. For information on TEDxEuston, please log on to: www.tedxeuston.com.

By Chinwe Ojielo