VOA标准英语2011--Report: Africa in 50 Years Time

Report: Africa in 50 Years Time

A new report says African countries could become a dominate force in global trade over the next 50 years. The African Development Bank says their economic future depends on taking advantage of innovation, new technologies and natural and human resources.
Chief bank economist¹ Mthuli Ncube says the report , Africa in 50 Years Time, is very encouraging.
“Absolutely. We see a moment for Africa to think visionary about where it should be in 50 years time. And this report is an attempt to begin getting that conversation going, to begin to get Africans to be forward looking. And also to raise the question on what needs to be done? Who has what responsibility? And also (to) look at all the opportunities frankly² that are available in Africa,” he said
Shock Absorber
Ncube believes Africa can become a dominating force in the global economy based on its recent record.
“The Africa region has done rather well compared to 20 years ago. Africa has weathered the global crisis rather well, especially the non-commodity producing countries. Surely this is a lot more than a commodity story. It’s about a dynamic Africa. You see a lot of countries that are well managed economically, good managers. You begin to see efforts to diversify³ these economies. You’re beginning to see growth of an internal market led by a burgeoning⁴ middle class,” he said.
A growing demand by the middle class and increasing trade between African countries act like a shock absorber for the global economic slowdown.
“Of course, when I say this, Africa will not be unscarred. It will be. Already you could see trade finance flows kind of drying up because this is coming from the global banks, which are under pressure from the global financial crisis, the banking⁵ crisis. But overall, African countries will do ok in our view,” said Ncube.
Economic growth
Despite the economic slowdown hitting much of the world, the African Development Bank predicts strong growth for sub-Saharan Africa.
“We expect sub-Saharan Africa this year to grow at about five and a half percent and even higher next year. North Africa to be slower because of the Arab Spring, but going forward it will also recover. So we’re very bullish about Africa’s performing during the crisis,” he said.
The continent is rich in oil and gas and its minerals are already feeding the growing demand for new technology. Ncube also believes that climate change actually offers Africa new opportunities.
“There’s a lot of sunshine, to put things more in a simplistic way. Solar farms, clean energy, hydro power. So much potential in a lot of African countries on hydro power,” said Ncube.
He said one of the greatest African resources is the people, whom he describes as entrepreneurial by nature. He added, however, that the skills of African workers should be improved. Ncube says if Africa is to fulfill⁶ its potential it must overcome a number of challenges.
“Easily as much as $45 billion a year in infrastructure⁷ demand and investment goes unfunded annually⁸. So there’s a need to close the infrastructure gap. Now number two, there’s still a need to deal with the agricultural sector⁹ in Africa – a better way to intervene in this sector in an unemotional but constructive¹⁰ way that crowds in the private sector. And number three is to support the private sector in Africa, so by improving investment climate. A lot has been done, but more still needs to be done,” he said.
The continent has also been hit hard by malaria¹¹, HIV/AIDS, TB and other diseases that have taken a toll¹² on the workforce¹³. But the economist says Africa is on the way to overcoming those problems. Ncube called on investors¹⁴, the private sector, policymakers and others to read the African Development Bank report and discover the opportunities that are available on the continent.

1 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

2 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

3 diversify   

v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化

参考例句：

• Our company is trying to diversify.我们公司正力图往多样化方面发展。
• Hills and woods diversify the landscape.山陵和树木点缀景色。

4 burgeoning   

adj.迅速成长的，迅速发展的v.发芽，抽枝( burgeon的现在分词 )；迅速发展；发（芽），抽（枝）

参考例句：

• Our company's business is burgeoning now. 我们公司的业务现在发展很迅速。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• These efforts were insufficient to contain the burgeoning crisis. 这些努力不足以抑制迅速扩散的危机。 来自辞典例句

5 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

6 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

9 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

10 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

11 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

12 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

13 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

14 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会