Crafting Positive Futures For Africa - Ime Enang

Thank you. Thanks. It's good to be here with you, Charlotte. And then, of course, I know how much, how much hard work you put into this. And then, you know, how we, we keep bothering you about, about this journal that we all want to see, because it's an important subject.

Yes.

Yeah. So, so I work with Business Day, Business Day in Nigeria. I lead the development arm of Business Day, so what everyone would call a foundation or would call the nonprofit side, you know. So that's where I work, and my role is basically to advocate for reforms, reforms in policies, reforms in regulations. That's that's the main thrust of the work. And then, you know, so there are along 3, 4 thematic areas, which is media and the creative economy, the digital economy, trade and investment, of course, and the climate, climate change resilience.

Ah.

So those are the 4 thematic areas that we, we focus on. But then there are other overarching, um, uh, uh, How do I put it? Overarching themes like gender, of course, you know, and data also would be another overarching theme. So that's the work that I do. But then, as an African and as a Nigerian, really, what does the future mean to me? So in my study, by the way, my first degree was in history, um, and so that, you know, has exposed me to a lot of— to think in a certain way. And that is, in the study of history, we're used to the, the causes of this, you know. So that's how it always starts.

Mm-hmm.

So, so you want to know the causes for the rise of certain empire, and then you want to know the causes of the, um, of, of that, say, of the fall of that empire in history, then you find that closely related to that would then be the causes— no, the effects of the fall, or the effects of the rise as well. And so I find that one then thinks in you know, a mode that's almost always thinking cause and effect. And, and I find that is, that is linked to the future, really, because it's a way of thinking about the future. So if this is happening now, how does it affect the future? And it's interesting, it's, you know, a few days ago I was talking with someone that I respect a lot, and, and the first question when they said, um, how, so how are things, I said, oh well, I'm dealing with a lot of contradictions. And then I found that contradictions are just a way of life. So if you ask the average Nigerian, they'll tell you no one knows tomorrow.

Mhm.

And on the premise of that, you know, no one knows tomorrow because we don't want to play God, because tomorrow is in God's hands, you know, because because you can't predict it, because there is a superpower that's beyond us all that then orchestrates what we know as the future. And for that reason, we don't know tomorrow, which then presupposes that we are helpless about tomorrow.

Yeah.

We can't predict it, we don't know it, we, you know, and all of that. However, and you would have seen that in my contribution to the journal, that the re— if you looked at it in terms of ethnicity, there is what we all believe in, in our ethnic groups about the future, in the religions about the future. So it's true that we say no one knows tomorrow. By the way, there's a song about, you know, Some pop star, I think, many years ago had sang about how no one knows tomorrow. Um, but, but somewhere in our belief system is something that makes us, you know, know about tomorrow and actually have regard for the future. Loosely speaking, there is, and this is, you know, in, in the times we live in, in Nigeria, we say that hope has become you know, the main staying power that we have. And there is a saying in Nigeria across every ethnic group that says tomorrow will be better.

Yeah.

You know, so that's the future, and that's an expression of hope. So it means that in fact we know something about the future.

There is what we do I'd love to just interject there because you said just one little expression which seemed to be so interesting. You said there's a regard for the future. And I think if we sit down with people who have that kind of gut reaction, like we can't know the future, we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. And I know we've had some religious conversations in the past, especially with Christianity and with Islam, and I'm not going to speak to them. But there is that concept that the future is in God's hands, in Allah's hands, in someone else's hands. And who are we to think that we can actually do anything about it? In the Christian Bible, there's that story about the parable of the sower. And, you know, if you're not taking care of the talents that you've been given, then you're actually being irresponsible. So I don't think when we're talking about the future that we're necessarily trying to undermine any religious beliefs. But there is that regard. There is— we're not trying to foretell the future. There's no fortune-telling here, but there is a respect for, an anticipation for, a regard for what could possibly happen and how do we prepare ourselves for that. So it's not like we can tell what's going to happen in 36 hours' time, but we can anticipate a couple of things and how do we respond to that? How do we be responsible to those potential futures for the area of concern that we are a part of? So I actually like that kind of turn of phrase of a regard for the future is quite insightful.

Yes, yes, yes, there is. And if we look at it in terms of culture, I'll take the Yorubas. The Yorubas are those that live in southwest Nigeria, you know. And so when a child is born, the child is named. Our names have deep meanings, and most times those names are speaking to the future. You know, so they're speaking to the future. And in the past, when a child was born, people went to, you know, priests that they believed in to ask about the future of the child. So sometimes children were named based on what, you know, was told about the future.

Yeah, a prophecy almost.

Yes, a prophecy. And you see, there is that regard. Otherwise, it's— I mean, you just dismiss it. and, and move on. But, but there's the regard that, oh, of, of, I mean, truly this child is going to be this, that, or the other. And for that reason, the parents then trains that child in that, you know, in that manner, in the light of what was said.

Yes.

And then in the Bible, and so when people want to talk about, oh no, we can't, there are so many examples where the Bible itself asks us to plan, you know, for the future. And that the story, the story of Noah is there for everyone to, to remember. I mean, it hadn't started raining yet, but it was said that, okay, rains are coming, and because they are coming, there is this safety, there's a safe place to go to. And, you know, if you— so if you believed, if you, if you, if you Back to the word regard for the future. If you had any regard for the future, then you would go into the ark and then find safety. But then talking about planning, and this time I'm even talking in terms of larger contexts that might be governments.

Mm-hmm.

So if we look, the Bible says we should count the costs, you know. So who is— you want to build a house, you need to, you know, you need to be sure of the foundation and, and all of that. And when I look at that in the context of government, I'm saying, okay, so if we all go to worship, here's what we've been told, that in the, in, in the responsibility that we have accepted, this is how we conduct ourselves.

Yes.

Um, things don't just happen. It's going to take, you know, it's going to take some sitting down, some careful planning to be able to get a proper foundation. And then we need to count the cost. You need to be able to say whether you can go through this. You know, the economies in Africa are bleak at the moment, but are you able to withstand the pressure that's coming? Do you have the people that can push you to where you ought to go to? And many times I say everyone believes that Africa's time has come except Africa itself.

Ah, that's insightful. Tell me, from your perspective, I mean, obviously there's a lot of rich cultural, religious, traditional history in Nigeria and so many different ethnic groups. How do you kind of, you know, is there a unified vision for the future of Nigeria that can cross those kinds of boundaries? Or do different groups have different perspectives of what they think a good future for Nigeria might look like?

Okay, you know, I've said to you that hope has become tangible in these times that we live in. So I believe, and many times, so when there were incidences in Niger and all of those places and people say, oh, it's going to happen in Nigeria, many times I think it's difficult to happen in Nigeria and it's simple. Everyone is hopeful. So yesterday— no, 2 days ago, our— and I don't know how much petrol is now in, in, in Joburg, but, but here last year we used to buy it for about, let's even say, 190. So it wasn't up to 200, which should be about— I'm trying to see that to the rand now. What could be about less than R3, right, per liter.

Okay.

But now it's gone all the way to about R20 in one year.

Yes.

And so that's it, R20— no, actually R10, because the rand is now 1 to 80. Um, okay. Yeah, but you see, the rand— let's even just use the rand and the naira.

Yeah.

About last year, early last year, we're still around the 40s, 50s. Okay, today we're— it's, it's, it's actually 80, well over 80 actually. Um, to— so, so when, when you talk to the average Nigerian, they still got something that they hope will come through. By tomorrow, this weekend, next week, next month, you understand? So that hope just takes us, it just takes us through. I remember Busi, you probably know Busi Temba, and he said, and he said, we need to study, others need to study how Nigerians survive, because you really can't put a science to it. Yeah, I mean, how do you go— almost everything I know has gone from whatever cost it was to about 400. I mean, my, my daughter was schooling in the UK at the time she was going, it was 500 to the pound. Now it's over 2,000. Oh, so it means school fees has gone over 400%. That's what it means.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

How do you cope? It's difficult. Except there's an intrinsic, you know, there's that intrinsic and an abused attribute that Nigerians have, which is the resilience. You know, it's frequently abused because people just say, oh, you know, the resilience, you know. So I have a boss who calls it the boiled frog syndrome. You know, the frog adapts to the temperature each time, and it appears that's what we do. So hope is that thing that keeps Nigerians together. It's that thing that makes us just believe that it will get better. You know, many times I hear, oh, God will do it for us. And I say, okay, so we create the problems and God solves them, right? But, but, but that's where the hope is hinged. So what— so go on. Sorry. Yeah.

So yeah, I want to ask because that hope is so important. Obviously, we're looking at the future. And as good futurists, like you said earlier, that the further forward we're looking, the further back we need to get an understanding of. And in your essay, you were talking about many, you know, different concepts and different religious views about the future. But still, there is this resilience and this hope. So what is it that you've experienced in Nigeria, that the people have experienced, or that part of Africa has experienced, that gives them that intrinsic belief that the future is— that there's hope for the future? So it's not like you're going through some tough times, you think, well, this is it, we must just give up. You're still hopeful, you're still creating, you're still dreaming, you're still making for the future. Where did that resilience come from? What is that hope based on?

So we have, you know, in— and you'll see it even on graffitis on big vehicles, you know. You see, yeah, my tomorrow is better, it will be better, you know. So, you know, um, so I think in, in the beliefs, in the belief system, there's just something that says, yeah, it'll be better tomorrow. So, so we have a saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Mhm.

You know, so, so, and we believe it, that's And then, of course, if you look also in the Bible, it says nothing— that God doesn't allow anything that's beyond you to come to you. So what that means is, okay, so we're going to wing this anyway, because if it wasn't— if we weren't going to wing it, God wouldn't let it come to us.

I see.

Yeah. So, so that's in the— on the religious side. On— and in Islam, it simply says that whatever happens is from Allah. So that's a belief also, which means, you know, um, if it happens at all, then it means not— there was nothing we could do about it.

Yeah, okay.

And in the common belief, it is that, oh, it's— things will definitely get better, my tomorrow is better. There are sayings that you'd find every— someone would say anywhere you go, you know, you would hear it. daily, you know, tomorrow is going to be better. No, what doesn't kill you, um, makes you stronger. Um, you know, if you retreat, it's to get, you know, you know, and this is quite symbolic. Um, when animals retreat, they charge, you know, they charge forward stronger.

Uh-huh.

So, so there are those sayings even in our local languages that, you know, even when I retreat, I'm going to charge you know, forward even stronger, you know. So there are those beliefs that, that keep Nigerians going. As bad as things are, people are still hopeful.

Okay, that's fantastic. So tell me your— just kind of as we're heading towards the end here, what is your hope for the future? If you were to prophesy a really good future for Nigeria, for Africa, what would you like to see us doing? What kind of projects should we be involved in? What kind of conversations should we be having? So as a futurist, what are you looking for in the future?

Better governance. I think Africa has everything except good leaders, right? So better leaders. Yeah.

Okay.

Better leaders and also an appreciation of our natural resources. I think appreciation. And then also, even though I say better leaders, I'm not sure democracy was made for Africans. I think, I think we need to create what works for us.

Yeah.

Because this— I think democracy is too expensive. That's, that's, that's what I think. And then I think because we're not intrinsically— we're not Democrats, I think that They're authoritarians, really.

Okay.

So, so I think we need to find a balance, something that allows people to be authoritarian but, but accountable, um, something that allows, you know, that's— that democracy is bleeding the economies. That's, that's the way I, I, I've seen it, and it's been used, you know, to exploit for too long. Um, so what else do I see for Africa. It would be great to have fair trading, global trade policies that also help Africa. So Africa's natural resources are not carted out when they've not, you know, so if it's cocoa, please buy the chocolates from us, not just the cocoa.

Yes.

Because that's where the real money is. So yes, I see that. And I— Africa has the world's greatest, I mean, largest youth population.

Yeah.

It just means that we need to get leadership right so they can flourish, so they can be all that they would like to be. But as much as young people would like to be in power, I still think it's, it's still going to be cross-generational. Um, you know, it, it can't be all your youth and no, you know, because you still need the experience. And then the older generations need, need, you know, they need the deftness, they need the technology, they need, you know. Um, so we need cross-generational leadership.

Yeah.

That's, that's also something that I see. And then of course I would love to see a borderless Africa.

Oh, yes. Well, some of our other contributors will be talking a little bit about, about the kind of the economic stuff and a bit of the exploitation from other parts of the world. And Yalang Prujinke will also probably talk about the generation stuff and that the fact that in terms of our population pyramid, Africa has the biggest element of young people in comparison to other parts of the world who have shrinking populations at home, because, you know, they're not producing as many children as the replacement rate requires. So that's, that's a very interesting conversation. Sorry, Ime, just as we finish, what do you think the rest of the world could learn from Africa? What is it that we have to share with the rest of the world?

Oh, I, I, I, I think one thing that we, we can share is our ability to adapt. I think, I think, I think Africa, Africa adapts and Africans adapt very easily.

Yeah, innovative.

Sorry, you said?

Innovative.

Yes, we are, we are innovative.

Yeah.

Yes, we are innovative. And also, in, in, you know, there's something that the rest of the world just thinks— people just think they know, they know the way. And, and, and, and when I see Africans blazing the trail across the world, I'm hoping that they are listening to them because it means that they Because the Africans have gone into those countries, into those, you know, the environment, and learned from the environment.

Yeah.

But many times people come into Africa and want to, you know, make Africa behave like them. You, you understand?

Yes.

I think it's important that you learn from Africa also.

Yeah.

Um, understand how Africa works. And you don't just come with your prescriptive, you know, because it doesn't always work. I'm sorry about Libya because as much as it was not a democracy, I had never met a Libyan anywhere which—

Okay.

They were happy in their country.

Okay.

You know, they were happy in their country. There was a way they, you know, at a certain age, you know, there was what they got for being Libyans and they were comfortable there. They had their means, they earned, you know, they were taken care of. It might be unorthodox the way, you know, they were ruled, but they were happy.

I see.

Today Libyans are everywhere, and the proliferation of armed and of weapons is traced to that, you know, to that period. So imagine we didn't have that. We probably would have a safer, you know, and less conflicting Africa today. So I think it's important to just pay attention to Africa, see what works, and know how the people work. And what, you know, generally the prescriptions don't work. It always causes more problems than solutions.

Yeah, great. Imei, thank you very much for your insights. And like I said, the journal will be published on Monday coming up, and we can share your article along with everyone else's. The real point of these conversations and of the journal is, is kind of to highlight the work of futurists, the thinking of futurists who are in Africa about Africa. So to your point that we're not just bringing in concepts and models from other parts of the world and thinking that they will work here. So we want to demonstrate what is being done here, what we could export in terms of wisdom and insights to the rest of the world, and also to give people an appreciation for the fact that This is as much as we want to trade a lot more within Africa and not have, you know, all of our internal rules in the continent. It is a continent of like 54 countries and over a billion people and so many languages and religions that is reflected very much in Nigeria's population, which is just so dynamic and so varied. But there really is so much to learn from Africa and people who encounter one or two people from Africa and then think that that little bit of insight is how the whole continent is, they're sadly misled and naive about just the huge variety of everything, you know, opinions and wealth and insights and values and everything that is reflected in this continent. But it is an amazing, beautiful continent. It does have amazing, wonderful people doing very creative and innovative things. And people like yourself who are willing to explore, dig a little bit deeper, and then think about how can we actually set things up for the kind of future we're looking for in Africa. So thank you very much for sharing with us today.

Thanks, Charlotte. Thanks.

Great. So anybody who is watching, keep an eye out on the Futures Alchemist page, and we will mention the website shortly so that you can go and see and download the book, the journal, when it's released. And please do connect with the various contributors like you may hear from, from Abuja in Nigeria, if you think that you can get any more insight from her about her work. Thank you very much, and we will see you soon.

All right, thank you.