Australia celebrates African achievement and potential

These important anniversaries have triggered renewed debate about reversing the trend of Afro-pessimism. I remember seeing the famous cover of the Economist a decade ago, labelling Africa as 'The Hopeless Continent'.

Fast forward to December 2011, and the same magazine's cover described the continent as 'Africa Rising'. The conversation about Africa is now a different one - and for good reason. Democracy is being consolidated, despite some serious challenges and exceptions. African countries and regional organisations are increasingly taking the lead in solving Africa's challenges. In eight of the past ten years, growth in sub-Saharan Africa has been faster than in East Asia. This growth is being driven by technological innovation and Africa's young, rapidly growing and urbanising population.