The Buzz

As the World Cup unfolds, the buzz goes beyond the vuvuzelas. South Africa has been both hailed and criticized for the way it is hosting the event but the fact that the tournament is taking place in Africa is an undoubted source of pride across the continent.

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For the next few weeks, the world will hold its breath and dive into a universe where countries compete on level playing fields, where the rules are clear and the results visible. But that bubble will break and beyond the satisfying accomplishment of hosting such a mega-event, what will be left for Africa after the World Cup? 

The tournament is a huge opportunity not only for South Africa but for the entire continent. In South Africa, 200,000 visitors are expected to boost tourism and create numerous jobs. Over $3.7 billion have been invested to improve public transportation and infrastructure - including five new stadiums and the renovation of five existing ones. Looking beyond the immediate revenues and economic benefits of organizing and hosting the event, it is still too soon to assess the real economic and social impact of the cup.

It is clear that the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebrand the continent and draw attention to Africa’s extraordinary untapped natural resources and dynamic human capital. At the same time, failing to highlight the most pressing development issues and what can be done to address them would be a missed opportunity.

The challenge is to showcase Africa’s wealth and resources without hiding poverty and hunger; to market investment opportunities without ignoring inequality, governance and corruption issues; and to position Africa as part of the solution to deal with climate change without undermining its immediate adaptation and mitigation needs. It is also to show how international partnerships can make a practical difference.

As the whistle blows the end of the finals, another - and much more complex - game will continue to be played out on the continent and elsewhere, with a single goal: scoring for Africa. (see the Scoring for Africa Guide on www.africaprogresspanel.org - click here to read the latest APP Bulletin)