Forget the Live Aid image, Africa is only a broken continent in the minds of the west
This opinion piece argues that Western perceptions of Africa are outdated and unfairly focused on dysfunction rather than innovation. The author highlights the continent's progress in sectors like mobile banking to challenge the persistent 'broken' narrative.
Why it matters
It addresses the 'visibility gap' that influences international investment, tourism, and cultural engagement with African nations.
People using the M-Pesa banking service in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013. Africa pioneered innovations in mobile money./MDGGetty Images People using the M-Pesa banking service in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013. Africa pioneered innovations in mobile money./MDGGetty Images Opinion Global development Forget the Live Aid image, Africa is only a broken continent in the minds of the west Moky Makura Innovators and business leaders are driving progress across the continent-wide, but the ‘visibility gap’ prevents the rest of the world from truly seeing it
About this content Sat 24 Oct 2026 11.00 BST Last modified on Sat 24 Oct 2026 11.01 BST Share T hirty years ago, shortly after South Africa emerged from apartheid, I left London for Johannesburg in search of a better life. Not long afterwards, a friend who was preparing to visit from the UK called with an intriguing question: do they have ATMs in South Africa?
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in