From Charity to Equity: The $100 Billion Opportunity We Are Missing
- Ayo Olufade
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
We celebrate African billionaires, but is wealth at the top the right metric to inspire us all? While that is inspiring, are we aware of the barriers that might hinder our own investments in Africa and how to overcome them? Addressing these concerns can help us move from inspiration to action.
Yes, representation matters. But wouldn’t it be more transformative for people of African ancestry to focus on structural leverage and wealth that they can easily achieve by diversifying rather than operating solely within the Western economic system?
Positioning is everything:
Skills alone don’t build wealth. Positioning does. Place yourself where your value is highest, economically and culturally. As a STEAM educator, I teach my people that their skills are only as good as their positioning. You must place yourself where your value is highest. The same logic applies to our economics.
People of African descent in the Diaspora are currently “positioned” as consumers in the West. But we have the power to be owners and leaders in Africa and globally, inspiring confidence and a sense of possibility in ourselves and others. You are capable of shaping the future through your leadership, transforming perceptions, and creating opportunities.
The China Blueprint
China didn’t rise solely because of domestic hard work. It grew because the “Bamboo Network” (its Diaspora) and Western companies treated China not as a charity case, but as an investment destination. Here is a post on how Israel and India are becoming startup powerhouses https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/how-israel-and-india-became-startup-powerhouses/vi-AA1K9qCz?ocid=socialshare. Believe me when I say to you that their Diaspora is not a SILO! Africa can be the next investment destination if the Diaspora actively explores specific strategies, such as partnering with local entrepreneurs, understanding local markets, and navigating regulations, treating it as an opportunity, not a charity.
The $100 Billion Reality
In 2024, the African Diaspora sent an estimated $100 billion in remittances to the continent. This capital and vision are assets we can harness. Recognizing these contributions as a foundation for impactful investments can make us feel more capable of shaping economic growth.
Imagine if we redirected just a fraction of that $100 billion into impactful investments, such as partnerships, manufacturing, and real estate, to create lasting economic growth and inspire action. Redirecting even 10% of those remittances could seed factories, startups, and real estate ventures across Africa, showing our collective power to make a difference.
Why do this?
It’s not just about “helping Africa.” It’s about leveraging geographic arbitrage to seize strategic opportunities and feel empowered in shaping our future, inspiring hope and confidence in our collective potential.
Higher Returns: Africa is an emerging market with growth potential that the West cannot match.
Diversification: Creating a “Plan B” outside of the Western system gives us options and sovereignty.
We need to stop viewing the continent through the lens of negative stereotypes, as remote, backward, or “risky”, and start seeing it as the next global engine. By understanding and managing the risks through due diligence, local partnerships, and informed decision-making, we can encourage strategic investments and economic empowerment with confidence.
History is a prologue. The West and other countries, such as China, India, the Gulf states, and European nations, are investing quietly but strategically in infrastructure, tech, agriculture, and energy. This underscores my argument that the African Diaspora must also treat Africa as an investment destination, not just a place for remittances. It’s time for us to invest boldly.
Authored by Dr. Ayo Olufade
Life is about purposeful living. Those who live with purpose and surround themselves with the right people and resources succeed. ~ Dr. Ayo Olufade
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