We are all aware that sometimes the news media tends to overexaggerate situations and certain conditions most especially when it comes to Africa. When you travel out of Africa and meet individuals who have never been to the continent, most of the time they tend to have certain perceptions that depict the continent in ways that are misleading. People who have not been to Africa, as well as those who do not live in Africa, often have a very negative depiction of what the continent as a whole is like and what happens in African countries. Yes, there are some negative conditions and ugly ongoing situations in the continent which are unavoidable but such things are also present in all other continents, even though such situations may not be the same everywhere. Just as all the continents in the world are not the same, each continent will face its own different problems. The overexaggerated negative conditions should not be used to overshadow the many beautiful qualities of Africa which should be seen by the world. Here are 3 common misconceptions about Africa that need to be corrected globally:

1. All African Countries are Poor: A global economic misconception is that all African countries are poor and survive mainly on aid. Meanwhile, the continent is rich with natural resources, and each country has its own economic activity that their governments pursue. On the contrary, some of the best governed and most developed African countries receive little or no foreign aid at all. As a matter of fact, most countries in other continents import African natural resources to process for use in their countries. Most natural resources found in Africa cannot be found in other continents and if found at all in small quantity.
2. All Africans are Dark Skinned: Another common stereotype is that all Africans are dark skinned. Africa is known for its diversity in culture, religion, tribe and ethnicity as well as colour. We have different skin pigments and different shades of black for the different tribes and different regions around the continent. It is also important to note that most African countries were colonised by the white race who came to Africa and mingled with the indigenes and some bore children who are regarded as mixed race. Hence, many African generations can be traced back to this which results in the different beautiful skin pigment of the African people today. There are also immigrants from other continents who have come to Africa many generations ago, and their descendants have settled on the continent ever since.
3. Africa Lacks Technology: This is another common misconception that has lingered for decades, even though Africa has advanced in technology for so many years now. Many people in other continents still believe that Africa lags behind in technological advancement, or worse, that there is no technology available on the continent. However, when it comes to technology, Africa has almost everything the rest of the world possesses. Africa may not be as advanced as the United States or the United Kingdom in technology but surely the continent is not lacking behind. Africa is not only thriving on mobile technology and the internet but also other forms of technology that have contributed immensely to the day-to-day lives of the African people. For instance, Africa is the fastest region when it comes to mobile growth. It is estimated that over 67% of the population on the continent have mobile phones, and 27% have devices at their disposal that can access the internet.

Olatorera Consultancy Limited provides business development services to high net-worth individuals and companies looking to grow, enter or do business in Africa.