Young Angolans in Luanda are rethinking their city and looking for ways to address congestion and pollution. Further north, a new generation of Nigerian authors is leading the re-emergence of African literature. And creative social entrepreneurs are reshaping societies in Ghana and South Africa. Across the continent, the 'cheetah generation' — as named by Ghanaian economist George Ayittey — is defining a new paradigm for the continent's relations with its partners, old and new. Africa as a whole may not yet fly high and peacefully in the 21st century but it has reached a point where a take-off is inevitable. In a new era of global relations where Africans will play a major role, Americans and Europeans should make sure they are on board.

 ACUMEN is a social venture capital fund. We provide funding for entrepreneurs who build businesses that provide goods and services to the poor. We’re focused on investing in companies, leaders, and ideas that are changing the way the world tackles poverty. Acumen was established 12 years ago, and we have about $85 million invested in 73 companies globally. We have been in West Africa for two and half years and we have $6.7 million invested in four projects in Ghana and Nigeria. As a non-profit organisation, we raise charitable donations that allow us to make equity and debt investments in early stage companies that provide reliable and affordable access to agricultural inputs, markets, quality education, clean energy, healthcare services, formal housing, and safe drinking water to low income customers.