TEDGlobal: Ideas worth spreading

I first came across this inspiring speech by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first female Finance Minister in Nigeria on the Annansi Chronicles .

Her speech most definitely delivered a positive presentation of Africa to a wider audience. She talks about the Africa we don’t know in terms of anti-corruption practice; makes a request for embezzled funds sitting in accounts of developed countries to be returned back to developing countries; and the basic fact that Africa is full of opportunities, supported by Carol Pinneau's Africa Open for Business.

However, I had to wonder what she had chosen to push and hold back through her eloquent delivery. It is only natural, that she must be seen to be plugging Nigeria; however she may have taken it a little too far.

Making statements such as "... if you are not in Nigeria, you are not in Africa; I want to tell you that...” come on!!!!

I suppose that is just her sense of humour, and natural pride for her nation, I even laughed as she said it. As she went on to talk about Housing initiatives, and women to invest in, she definitely held back.

She could have easily mentioned Stephanie Baeta-Ansah, Managing Director of the HFC Bank in Ghana, who has successfully created housing finance opportunities. She did not though, so here is some of the footage filmed in Ghana from this documentary. And to be fair I have included Nigeria too!!!

Africa Open for Business: Ghana





Africa Open for Business: Nigeria





Africa Open for Business: DVD trailer




You can watch the other countries featured in this documentary on YouTube, just type in "Africa open for business" in the search field.

If you have any problems viewing Ngozi's speech then watch it directly on the TED Talks site.