Music executive, Richie Mensah has said historical divisions have influenced how Africans view cooperation with one another, including in business and trade.
According to the songwriter and creative director, many Africans have grown up without seeing the continent as one connected market.
“We’ve been taught to think we are not together,” Richie said during an episode of his podcast.
He explained that while businesses in other parts of the world naturally consider neighbouring countries when expanding, many African entrepreneurs look outside the continent first.
Richie said this mindset affects how businesses plan their growth.
“Somebody is starting a business in Ghana and they’re thinking, how do I get to UK?
“How do I get to the US? Nobody’s thinking, how do I get to Togo and Benin and Ivory Coast and Nigeria and get all over here?” he said.
He argued that stronger regional connections could create more opportunities for African companies to grow before competing internationally.
Richie also pointed to broader social divisions, including tensions between Africans from different countries, as another challenge affecting unity on the continent.
