[The African continent has ~54 countries, over 1 Billion people, and thousands of cultures. When we don’t call Mexicans Americans, how can we call Moroccans Africans? BTW, Morocco is the only African country that is not a member of the African Union.]
This is Africa
Frame Changers #131: Pushy Persistent Salesman
Frame Changers #125: Always Room For One More
[Matatus are mini-vans used for public transport across the African continent. While they are supposed to seat 10-14 passengers, they can have as many as 30 passengers crammed in alongside some goats, hens, or even a cow. Their simple motto of “there’s always room for one more” can be applied to many facets of life.]
Frame Changers #122: Whose Duty Is It, Anyway?
[Developing countries often have extremely high vehicle import duties. Nonprofits need SUVs to reach rural areas and, typically, don’t get a break on paying duties. In Mozambique, for example, a $35,000 land cruiser can end up costing upwards of $70,000.]
Frame Changers #121:Disruptive Innovation
[Disruptive innovation is about creating new markets and value networks while obsoleting old and less-efficient ways of solving problems. However, disruptive innovations can unsettle people and their livelihoods when they are first introduced.]
Frame Changers #117: Science and Technology Gap in Politics
[Besides some notable exceptions like China, few political leaders around the world have education in the STEM fields or truly respect science and technology and leverage them to inform public policy. The situation is aggravated for developing countries which lack robust regulation systems (EPA, FDA, etc) or entities for advancing science and innovation (NSF, NIH, etc). Here’s an interview with an Indian politician expressing his skepticism for cloud computing.]
Frame Changers #113: Human + Animal Health
[There is a significant overlap between human and animal health, especially in developing countries where they live in close proximity.]
Frame Changers #108: One More Certificate
[Formal certificates are considered a measure of accomplishment. Certificates might be given as an award, to vouch for character, to acknowledge attendance at a workshop, or for participating in a market survey. You might even get a free certificate for buying laundry detergent in bulk.]
Frame Changers #107: Sleeping Fees
[Academics, government and non-profit professionals in Africa often expect exorbitant “sitting fees” to participate in training workshops. This creates an awkward situation for organizations that conduct capacity-building workshops but don’t have the resources to pay “sitting fees” to participants, some of whom come just for the money.]
Frame Changers #103: Colonial Hangover
[Due, in part, to colonial legacies, government jobs are heavily sought after and considered very prestigious. While official salaries are very low there is often the opportunity to make substantial money on the side. This cartoon captures the response of an extremely successful agro-entrepreneur when asked what he would like to do next.]