U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week that new
21st century technologies are creating new opportunities and
unlocking untapped potential in Africa. Addressing a conference
of African women entrepreneurs and young leaders at the State
Department, Clinton said that more than 315 million people in
Africa were using mobile phones, more people have gained access
to clean water and fewer have died in violent conflicts. She
said that even after the global financial crisis, Africa’s
economy is expected to grow at a rate of 4.5 percent next year,
faster than Latin America’s, Central Asia’s, Europe’s, or the
United States'. And last year alone, two-thirds of sub-Saharan
African nations implemented reforms to improve their business
climates. "All of these numbers tell the story of a continent on
the rise," she said, and added, "More responsible fiscal
policies coupled with increased political stability and rising
productivity has both spurred growth and attracted investment."
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