Innately African Agility - part 1
Despite the wealth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic and racial diversity that span the African continent, there remains to be an undeniable felt “African personality”. This personality, formed by a shared experience, is seen in a uniquely African value system.
So, we ask you: where does African agility come from? While many would turn to the common narrative the permeates the media and thus public opinion of the loss of great civilisations to exploitation, poverty and overall “dis-ease” to unpack this, we ask you to humour us for a moment. Reflect on learnings one can take from the film Black Panther. The fictitious nation of Wakanda is a technologically advanced African nation that isolates itself from the world by posing as a third world country. Their secret weapon: Vibranium, a heart-shaped herb that gives its people superhuman abilities. What is this secret weapon we as Africans hold?
dialogue strongly believes that this “Vibranium” is the innate agility that is embedded in the African nature; a nature that embodies resilience, adaptability, innovation and human and solution-centred approaches to life and business.
What is agility?
The notion of Agility, while often used in technological spaces, is rooted in a mentality. This is one that is engrained in a set of core values and principles which embrace adaptability, collaboratively leveraging existing environments to harness the abundant options and opportunities to be found (1).
In the face of globalisation, technological shifts, implications of the 2018 economic decline, skills scarcity and overall geo-political instability, African start-ups are embodying these core concepts by solution-centred approaches and innovation leading to expansion and growth (2). In doing so, they also carefully consider the potential detriments of job loss brought on by automation, the newly placed pressure of adapt or die and the increasing investment needs in creative and collaborative ways. Models are being re-invented, employees are being invested in and younger employees are being brought it for fresh perspectives and innovative solutions (2).
What mindsets and practices do you think position Africa to be agile masters? We will share our thoughts in the next blog.