By Prateek Suri
JULY 12 – Africa is sitting on a secret so highly effective; it might redefine its future. And it’s not oil, diamonds, or uncommon earth minerals. It’s one thing much more worthwhile and deeply rooted—its folks. The actual goldmine of this continent is human potential: untapped, underestimated, and able to rise.
I’ve skilled this firsthand. From arriving in Africa with no roadmap to constructing Maser Group—a billion-dollar enterprise spanning know-how, infrastructure, and sustainable ventures—my journey has been formed totally by the continent’s power, resilience, and native genius. Today, Maser could also be acknowledged globally, however its soul was constructed on African soil, by way of partnerships with native minds and fingers who understood what the textbooks by no means educate—find out how to do extra with much less.
But now, after the success of Maser Group, I’ve entered a brand new chapter. I’ve shifted my focus towards two highly effective levers of change: philanthropy and enterprise capital. And my mission is evident—to present again to the continent that gave me the whole lot, and to unlock the potential it doesn’t but totally acknowledge in itself.
The largest fable we should break is that Africa is ready to be developed. Africa is already constructing itself. I’ve seen youngsters code AI on damaged screens. I’ve seen women-run photo voltaic power cooperatives in off-grid villages. I’ve seen farmers utilizing WhatsApp to run provide chains extra effectively than some city logistics startups. These usually are not exceptions—they’re alerts of a quiet revolution.
Through our philanthropic initiatives, we’re investing in training, healthcare, and abilities growth—particularly in rural areas. We’ve launched coding colleges powered by photo voltaic in areas with no electrical energy. We’re coaching youth not simply to be job-seekers however job-creators. We’re displaying them that the following billion-dollar firms can—and should—be born from their very own concepts.
Simultaneously, my enterprise capital fund is backing Large Capital ventures of Africa which might be fixing Africa’s most persistent issues with hyperlocal options. From Infrastructure to roadways, mining to Artificial intelligence, to sustainable forestry by way of community-owned teakwood plantations—we’re not chasing traits. We’re betting on the actual Africa.
And right here lies the key: Africa doesn’t want saving—it wants perception. It wants its personal folks to understand the worth of their concepts. It wants traders, mentors, and establishments which might be keen to guess on native brilliance, not simply international fashions. Most of all, it wants a mindset shift—from shortage to abundance.
Maser Group confirmed what’s doable when African potential is matched with imaginative and prescient and execution. Now, I wish to replicate that story throughout sectors, throughout borders, and throughout generations.
The world is starting to get up to Africa. The query is—will Africa get up to itself?
You usually are not sitting on issues—you’re sitting on energy. Not simply the ability to develop, however to steer. The secret is now not hidden. It’s inside you. And now could be the time to unlock it.
The author is Founder and CEO of Maser Group
