S.O PIENS, MD: April 2025

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Why Investments Are Not Safe in Africa

Have you ever wondered why investments are not safe in Africa? Have you wondered why businesses are not thriving on the continent?

Many people have complained about their investments—that they are not good and their businesses are failing—with many bad dealers and swindlers.

People complain "everybody back home is a liar. Nobody is trustworthy. They are all liars. Everybody just wants to take your money and run away. Nowhere is safe."

"Investing in Africa is not safe, and many of our people are not ready to change. They just want to bring down your business and see you fail." I hear these a lot, and I’ve experienced some of them.

So, let’s unpack a couple of things.

We have problems with our investments back home because we have not dealt with the most fundamental issue which is the lack of investment in our people. In my last article, I discussed why we should invest in our people. You can read the article here.

Africa has the most lowest human development index in the world at 0.5, compared to 0.9 in many advanced countries. We invest in everything except our people, and we have seen the repercussions over the years.

There are more and more destructions of businesses and investments. There are more and more breakages of trust and love between friends, families, and partners. These are not done by demons, they are done by humans.

The bad economy in our continent has pushed many of our people to become perpetual liars, which many of us outside the country don’t want to understand. All we want to do is to invest in business and buy properties.

But that’s not working, and it won’t work until we first invest in our people. If you truly want a big return on your investment, then you should consider investing in people. I know this may sound ambitious and idealistic, but it will surely yield the right fruit.

There are many issues that are happening every day in Africa that show things are getting worse. Anything can happen to your investment at any time.

I’ve heard stories of people who bought properties and everything burned to ashes. Businesses were looted, shops were ransacked. Investments worth millions of dollars were destroyed by hoodlums. Nowhere is safe because we’ve not started with the right investment.

Our people are really lagging behind. We still have a long way to go. There is still a lot of work to be done. We can’t just jump at making money while we’ve forgotten about our people.

For many of them, abnormality has become normal. They need a reorientation, a mindset change, and even an opportunity to do things on their own and give them the support, education, and enlightenment they need.

I once talked to a young man who said even if he becomes the president or governor in Africa today, the first thing he will do is steal money from the government coffers. I asked why. He said "because that’s what everybody does. Everybody is a thief, and nobody really cares about anybody. Everybody is selfish and greedy."

That is what he has seen for many years, and it is what has now become a norm for him. So, he won’t do otherwise. He said "even a newborn knows that." I was shocked to hear all that. I know corruption has penetrated our system, but I didn’t know it has gotten to that level.

These are issues we need to deal with. While I’m not saying everybody is a criminal, I’m saying we have a lot of work to do. And we can’t just relax and focus only on our own business and investment. We need to solve our human problem.

Lots of our youths are getting involved in different inimical activities because there is nothing else for them to do.

What will they eat? What will they wear? Where will they sleep? Nobody cares about anybody. Everybody is just living in a jungle. We need serious attention. We need to invest in our people. The little we’ve started doing, we need to do more.

We know our people, when given the right opportunity, they do well. They thrive and succeed.

We have some of the most hardworking people in the world. We also have some of the most talented and brilliant people in the world, but because of the economic and financial hardship in the countries, many have become scavengers and predators.

They have become ruthless and heartless. They don’t mind what could happen to others, inasmuch as they can feed. They believe the system has failed them.

I say we must turn the tide and start making the right investment.

We don’t really have to start doing much before we start seeing results. The little we can do will go a long way. I encourage you to start with what you have. Help someone.

If we all focus on doing one thing at a time, we will be shocked at how much progress we are going to make on our continent. We will be amazed at how much peace and tranquility we experience in our land.

We will see a massive return of our values and virtues as Africans. We are some of the most loving and accommodating people in the world. We will see more friendship, brotherhood, togetherness, progress, development, and so on, if we are more concerned about our general welfare, not just only about our own personal prosperity.

While I'm not saying we shouldn't pursue financial freedom for ourselves or become rich, I’m saying we should keep our people in mind and support human development, because that is what will bring lasting prosperity in Africa.

And I hope our politicians and elites will stop the selfish mentality so they won’t pass down the wrong ideology into the minds of the younger generations.

I believe with our efforts and investments, things can change—and they will. Let’s keep supporting ourselves and embracing the change we need. I see Africa moving forward and making meaningful progress. Cheers!

Read Next: Solving Our Security Problem – Dealing with Unemployment (Part 16)

You can watch this program on YouTube.

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You can also check out these posts:

1. Move Africa!

2. The Danger of Silence —African Youth Must Rise!

3. Democracy Is A Scam In Africa; Here's What Works (L1)

4. A Wakeup Call to All Africans and People of African Descent

5. Why We Should Invest In People

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Saturday, April 5, 2025

Why We Should Invest In People

A few days ago, I was talking with someone, and he was telling me about the state of the nation in Nigeria. He said a lot of people have lost trust and hope in the country, and everyone is just trying to survive and make ends meet. I couldn’t agree more. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider every day, and it seems like the problem isn't going away anytime soon.

More and more people are drowning in poverty, while the elites and politicians ignore the cries of the poor.

But here’s what I want to say—if we ever dream of having a good future for our continent, we must invest in our people. Many wealthy individuals focus only on acquiring properties, both at home and abroad, while neglecting the people. But how can our nations develop without investing in the people? That should be our number one priority!

If our continent is drowning in poverty, with so many people facing various challenges, then we must first find a way to solve these problems—not just buy more properties. I understand that everyone wants to take care of their families and build wealth for future generations.

But how can you build wealth for the next generation when the current one is suffering? It doesn’t work that way. We need to invest in the people we see today—not just the unborn generations—because it is those we empower now who will shape the future we desire.

We have many youths who are unemployed and roaming the streets. Why can’t we help them, one by one? Why can’t we start with the little things we can do? I say this must be our priority. It must be our number one focus.

We have many problems—so, which one will you choose to solve? Do you want to start an educational program? Or maybe a food program? Which area do you want to focus on? There are so many areas: physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social, academic, health, spiritual—you name it.

Our people are going through so much. Instead of thinking only about yourself and your family, think about others. Before you buy properties or hire security guards to protect your home, invest in people.

I know to some, this may sound like a messiah mentality, but I truly believe this is what we must do if we want to build a better future for ourselves. The best and greatest investment we can make on our continent is in people. That is the only secure investment that will yield the greatest return.

I love what I saw in El Salvador. I’ve shared that example before on my blog. A nation that transformed from one of the most dangerous places on earth to one of the safest countries in the world—brilliant! And the simple secret? Investment in people.

A few individuals believed they could turn things around and make their nation the best on earth. And today, El Salvador is thriving economically and in many other areas. This is what we can do on our continent too.

We see so many of our people dying every day—what can we do to help? No help is too small. You can do something now. Even helping just one person matters. If each of us did that, it would go a long way. One by one, we’ll keep growing, expanding, and making an impact. We can’t leave the burden on the government alone. In fact, we are all part of the government. The direction we want society to go—that’s the direction it will take.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t make other investments. I’m saying our people should be our priority. That is our greatest and most important investment.

Look for someone to train. Look for someone to help. Don’t focus only on yourself. Volunteer and support others. This is how we serve our continent—and people will appreciate you for it.

If you can share valuable information to help someone, do it. If your support can come in other forms, go ahead and give it. Nothing is too small or too big. Every help, every bit of support, every act of assistance is needed at this point on our continent.

Here’s another important point—we must think long-term. It’s not just about solving temporary problems, but about offering permanent solutions. And yes, it all starts with one step. So, let’s start with just one thing.

I call on our fellow Africans in the diaspora to continue investing in our continent. I know many of us are already doing a lot—let’s create more awareness among ourselves. Let’s keep investing in our people. Let’s educate and enlighten more. Let’s keep offering help and assistance, and I believe our continent will do great things. Together, we will continue to move Africa forward.

God bless you.