BRICS Business Magazine English Edition No.2

There are certain topics on which a meaningful discussion is difficult due to having been reduced by overuse to little more than a series of declarations. Among them – though unquestionably deserving a better fate – is the idea of innovative development. Of course there can be no doubt that those countries which have produced the bulk of new technology have pulled quite far ahead of the rest.  And the pessimistic medium-term scenarios which are inevitably thrust upon the public do not provide the complete picture, and in fact can even create a feeling of hopelessness.

It is our deep conviction, however, that the prospects of those lagging behind are underestimated. The transformative power of finding a new approach or new solution – not unlike the power of new technology itself – is within the grasp of all of us, regardless of which country we live in. Evidence of this can be found in the twenty-five businessmen from Africa who cast their lots with innovation – and did so in the most diverse fields. We tell their story not only because they achieved success, but because they helped break down the existing stereotypes of their continent. And this is important because a positive example makes any endeavor more productive.