How Africa can prosper by following Deng’s economic model
Teodoro Poulson says the continent has the resources and the young population needed to thrive, and China’s model of direct state investment in technology and entrepreneurship offers a way forward
Why China is set to spend US$411 billion on 5G mobile networks
China prioritises development of talent to drive growth in science and technology via government-sponsored schemes. Many old, traditional cities have become modern centres of technology R&D. The old industrial city Wuxi now welcomes foreign technology entrepreneurs and skilled foreigners to set up enterprises.
Deng legitimised the pursuit of wealth and material happiness, and his reforms let farmers profit.
Africa’s largest employer is agriculture. In China, agriculture was modernised by granting more autonomy to farmers, alongside state investment in food-processing facilities. These helped farmers experiment with crops, improve output and process their own produce for local markets. Deng allowed farmers to rent state-owned plots, while land could be contracted for decades, meaning farmers could invest for a sustainable future.