I have just caught the tail end of Start the Week and was interested to hear Dambisa Moyo talking about why aid is not the best route for African countries as it stifles entrepreneurship and it many cases does not reach the intended recipients.

Her book Dead Aid looks like an interesting read and I have just ordered a copy from Amazon.

She is origianlly from Lusaka in Zambia, a fascinating country and one have had previously been able to visit, along with Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. I have long held the belief that if we are able to offer Africans the same access to infrastructure, finance and trade opportunities then the innovative spirit will flourish with massive positive social and economic effects.

For the last year and bit I have been making a series of micro finance investments via the Kiva network, enabling me to target investment money directly at entrepreneurs. Default rates are very low and there are often reports back from the borrowers on how the money is making a real difference to their lives.

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