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Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge celebrating after winning the Berlin Marathon in Berlin, Germany.[File, Standard]
Today, one of the key discussions across Africa focuses on value addition. For many years, African countries have been proud producers of some of the world’s finest coffee, cocoa, tea, cotton, and critical minerals. While these products start their journey on African soil, much of the processing, branding, innovation, and long-term economic benefits often happen elsewhere. People are increasingly realising that Africa shouldn’t just be known as a supplier of raw materials. The real opportunity lies in developing stronger industries, systems, and innovations built on what we already have so that more value stays on the continent.
Recently, I have been similarly thinking about sport, seeing how we can build on our strengths and create more lasting impact.
African sport inspires me with its talent, footballers in top leagues, record-breaking runners, and disciplined youth. Yet, many sports systems like science, recovery, biomechanics, and technology develop faster elsewhere. I wonder if Africa’s future in sports should focus on not just nurturing athletes but also on creating ecosystems that promote innovation, opportunities, expertise, and economic growth, helping local talent to thrive.
