Post by Edward Amoah, Ph.D.

It is with great honor that I share my selection as one of 24 out of 2,947 candidates (0.8%) for the 2026 World Bank Group African Fellows. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Indermit Gill, the Chief Economist of the World Bank Group. His presentation was truly inspiring. He addressed various challenges facing Africa, including small economies, fiscal and monetary policies, and a lack of skilled labor. However, he also highlighted Africa's potential in human capital and labor, instilling in me the belief that Africa's destiny can and will change in this generation. Key priorities for economic liberation on the continent with the fastest-growing young population include: - Power generation to support manufacturing and businesses - Transportation and housing infrastructure - Digital connectivity - Education - Agriculture - Healthcare Additionally, we need mechanisms to connect our small economies to facilitate the easy flow of capital and labor across the continent. This is where the Accra reset and the intercontinental free trade agreement hosted in Accra play a crucial role. Strong institutions must focus not only on individual countries but on the entire continent, as we can only grow together. I asked Indermit for a reading recommendation, and he suggested the World Development Report 2024 - The Middle Income Trap. I have never been so excited to read a book. https://lnkd.in/eBiCBrP2