IDEAL RESEARCH SOLUTIONS

11/11/2025

A CALL TO UNITE AFRICA: LEARNING FROM HISTORY AND SEIZING OUR FUTURE

NOTE: This post is for those who love diving deep into facts and history to uncover truths. It’s a detailed read, not a quick skim. So, poor readers who hate reading, which has also contributed to lack of progress in development is not for you, this read, is for progressive and analytical minds😅

I recently listened to Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned American economist, public policy analyst, and advocate for sustainable development, share his insights on why Africa lags in development, the historical factors behind this, and how Africa can transform into a powerful, resource-rich, and progressive global powerhouse. His analysis sparked deep reflection, prompting me to pen this piece.

THE HISTORICAL ROLE OF THE HORSE IN DEVELOPMENT

Sachs highlighted a critical factor in Africa’s developmental lag over the past 1,000 years or so: the absence of the horse as a driver of progress. Historically, the horse was a cornerstone of economic and military power. It revolutionized transportation, enabling faster movement of goods, people, and services. In warfare, cavalry units gave empires a decisive edge. Consider the conquests of Genghis Khan’s Mongol Empire, which used swift cavalry to dominate vast territories in the 13th century, or Alexander the Great’s Macedonian forces, whose mounted troops were instrumental in building one of history’s largest empires. Similarly, the Roman Empire relied on horses for logistics and military campaigns, while Napoleon’s armies in the 19th century leveraged cavalry for rapid maneuvers. These societies harnessed the horse to accelerate trade, communication, and conquest, laying the foundations for economic and political dominance.

In contrast, Africa’s tropical climate, particularly in sub-Saharan regions, was inhospitable to horses due to diseases like trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) spread by tsetse flies. This environmental barrier limited horse populations, depriving African societies of a key technological advantage. When European colonizers arrived with horses, their military superiority overwhelmed African armies, which relied on infantry. Imagine if Shaka Zulu, the brilliant 19th-century military strategist, had access to cavalry. His disciplined impis (warriors) could have not only unified Southern Africa but potentially challenged European incursions, altering the continent’s trajectory. Similarly, the Mali Empire under Mansa Musa (14th century), renowned for its wealth and scholarship, might have expanded its influence across West Africa with mounted forces, creating a more centralized and resilient state. The Kingdom of Aksum in East Africa, a major trading power in antiquity, could have rivaled Rome or Persia with cavalry-driven logistics.

This absence of horses meant African societies developed differently, relying on human labor and local innovations like the dhow for maritime trade. While these systems were sophisticated, they couldn’t match the speed and scale of horse-driven economies elsewhere, contributing to a technological gap that colonizers later exploited.

COLONIALISM AND THE DIVISION OF AFRICA

When Europeans arrived, they were ruthless, enslaving millions and plundering resources. The 1884 Berlin Conference, where European powers carved Africa into artificial colonies, ignored ethnic, cultural, and linguistic realities. This arbitrary division sowed discord and weakened African societies. Post-independence, these fragmented states struggled to cohere, perpetuating instability and hindering development.

Had Africa pursued Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a United States of Africa in the 1960s, the continent’s story could be different. Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, advocated for a unified Africa with a single government, military, and economic system. Imagine if each newly independent nation had joined a continental union, pooling resources like gold, diamonds, oil, and rare earth minerals under one governance structure. This unity could have prevented exploitative agreements with foreign powers, ended resource looting disguised as investment, and fostered coordinated development. A united Africa could have negotiated as an equal on the global stage, much like China or the European Union or the USA today.

AFRICA’S POPULATION AND GLOBAL POTENTIAL

At the height of colonialism, Africa’s population was only about 8% of the world’s total, limiting its capacity to resist foreign domination or drive large-scale development. Today, Africa’s population is approximately 1.5 billion, roughly 18% of the global population. The United Nations projects that by 2100, Africa could account for 39% of the world’s population (about 4.3 billion people). This demographic boom, driven by improved healthcare and rising life expectancy, is a game-changer.

Compare this to China and India, each with populations around 1.4 billion. Their unity as single nations allows them to leverage their human and natural resources effectively. China’s rapid industrialization and India’s tech-driven growth show what’s possible with coordinated governance and educated youth. Africa, despite matching their population size, remains fragmented into 54 nations, often working at cross-purposes. This division dilutes our bargaining power and perpetuates dependency on foreign aid and investment.

THE PATH FORWARD: UNITY AND LEADERSHIP

To become an economic, social, and military powerhouse, Africa must unite with urgency. We need leaders who prioritize continental integration over narrow national interests. In Zambia, as we approach the 2026 elections, let’s champion candidates with a vision beyond our borders—leaders who see the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a stepping stone to broader African unity. If two nations start this journey, others will follow, creating a domino effect.

Africa has the world’s youngest population, with a median age of 19.7 years (compared to 38 in China and 28 in India). This youthful energy, combined with our vast natural resources—60% of the world’s arable land, 30% of global mineral reserves—positions us for greatness. By adopting China’s and India’s strategies, such as mass education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and vocational training, we can empower our youth to drive innovation and industrialization.

However, the West benefits from our division. A fragmented Africa allows foreign powers to install compliant leaders and extract resources cheaply. A united Africa would prioritize its own needs, potentially limiting exports of critical minerals like cobalt or lithium, which power global technologies. This threat to their interests explains why external forces often oppose African unity.

A CALL TO ACTION

Young Africans, the future is ours to shape. Let’s elect leaders committed to uniting our continent, starting regionally and expanding to a continental union. Let’s demand education systems that rival those of China and India, equipping us to harness our resources and talents. A united Africa, speaking with one voice, will not only end exploitation but also reshape global dynamics.

Africa has the resources, the population, and the potential. What we need is unity. Let’s wake up and act—our time is now!

MICHAEL SOKO
RESEARCH CONSULTANT
IDEAL RESEARCH SOLUTIONS

[email protected]

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27/09/2024

I AM VERY ANGRY!

A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND SOLUTIONS:

ADDRESSING ZAMBIA’S ENERGY CRISIS:
In Bauleni Extension, Lusaka, we have endured seven consecutive days without power or water. What’s baffling is that Bauleni Compound, just across the road, enjoys electricity at least they get 1-3 hours power almost daily. In our residential area, our water system is entirely dependent on electricity from ZESCO, and without it, there are no means to pump water into our homes. This has made me so ANGRY that I have decided to pen this article.

This is not just a power outage—this is a failure of leadership. The local UPND leadership could have easily addressed this by initiating the installation of a generator or solar power system at the pump house, ensuring uninterrupted water supply even during load shedding. But instead, we see a glaring lack of initiative. The problem isn’t complicated; the solution is within reach. So, why hasn't it been implemented?

INCOMPETENCE AND MISPLACED PRIORITIES
The situation in Bauleni reflects a broader national crisis—a government failing to deliver on its promises. When the UPND came to power in 2021, they vowed to tackle issues head-on, but it seems their focus has been diverted to consolidating power instead of solving everyday problems for ordinary Zambians. Instead of improving the lives of the people who voted for them, they are consumed with political maneuvering, aiming to hold onto power at all costs. This dangerous obsession with political control has blinded them to the basic responsibilities of governance.

This is not just a UPND issue—it’s a reflection of a systemic flaw in Zambian politics. Once elected, political parties focus on entrenching their rule, often at the expense of development. If this practice continues, Zambia will remain trapped in a cycle of mismanagement, underdevelopment, and public frustration. What we need is a radical shift in our political culture, one that prioritizes national progress over political survival.

THE ENERGY CRISIS: A FAILURE OF PLANNING
The current energy crisis exemplifies the leadership failure. When the UPND were in opposition, they criticized the previous government for load shedding and offered numerous solutions. From Garry Nkombo’s Chembe River Canal proposal to the president's promises of an energy power generation mix, they appeared to have all the answers. So, what happened?

The truth is, none of those promised solutions materialized. The UPND knew about the challenges posed by climate change and fluctuating weather patterns long before they took office, yet they failed to act decisively. They dismissed climate change as an excuse when the PF government was in power, but now, they themselves are using the same excuse.

HERE’S HOW THE UPND COULD HAVE BETTER HANDLED THE ENERGY CRISIS:

PROACTIVE WEATHER FORECASTING:
From day one in office, the UPND should have sought detailed and accurate weather forecasts for the next five years from top global meteorological institutions. This would have allowed for more informed decision-making, particularly regarding water levels for hydroelectric power and the impact of climate change on the energy sector.

STRATEGIC ENERGY PLANNING: Armed with reliable weather Data, the government could have handled energy export agreements better and devised a plan to offset anticipated power shortages. This could have prevented the current overreliance on hydroelectric power, which is vulnerable to droughts.

SOLAR POWER INITIATIVES:
The UPND, in opposition, spoke of diversifying energy sources, particularly through solar power. They should have initiated the construction of solar plants in all ten provinces—100MW in provinces like Eastern, Luapula, Muchinga, Northern, N/Western Southern and Western, and 200MW in Lusaka and Copperbelt. This would have added 1,200MW to the national grid, significantly reducing the power deficit. Constructing a 100MW solar plant takes 12-18 months, meaning these plants could already be operational had they started immediately after taking office. The financial challenge could have been surmountable if the UPND prioritized this issue with the seriousness it deserved.

THERMAL POWER
Investment in Maamba thermal power station would equally have been a priority to boost it's power generation capacity, not the knee jerk reaction that was taken.

FOOD SECURITY AND STRATEGIC RESERVES: Using accurate weather predictions, the government could have better managed food security by halting maize exports and investing in food storage infrastructure, protecting Zambians from the devastating effects of droughts on agriculture.

LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The solutions to our current crises are not far-fetched, nor are they impossible to implement. They simply require foresight, political will, and a genuine commitment to solving the problems that matter most to Zambians. The UPND leadership must stop making excuses and start delivering on their promises. The time for political posturing is over; what Zambians need now is action.
The energy crisis facing our country are symptoms of a larger problem: a leadership that has lost touch with its mandate. The UPND must refocus its efforts on governance, ensuring that it delivers the development and services the people of Zambia deserve. If not, the electorate will no doubt remember this failure when the next election comes around.

MOVING FORWARD
As a nation, we must demand better. Leadership is not about consolidating power; it’s about serving the people. The UPND still has time ( although that is far fetched now) to correct its course and address the ongoing challenges. But that requires acknowledging their failures, accepting responsibility, and taking immediate steps to implement practical solutions.

I COME IN PEACE

MICHAEL SOKO

RESEARCH CONSULTANT

IDEAL RESEARCH SOLUTIONS

[email protected]

09/04/2020

Now more than ever, we need social,
opinion and market research and data
analytics to help us understand and chart
the impact that this disruption, the Corona Virus pandemic is having on
our societies, and equally, to help decision-
makers and society’s leaders to understand
how to determine the best way forward.
In this extraordinary time, we underline
more than ever that decision-makers should
take decisions based on solid, unbiased and
fact-based evidence. The data, research,
and insights sector can be a critical source
of such evidence and guidance; essential
research and analysis on the behaviour and
attitudes of both citizens and consumers
should be maintained, encouraged
and intensively used by governments,
businesses and charities alike, particularly
now.
It is a mission that our sector takes seriously,
it is the corner stone of our sector. The fundamental basis of the data and insights profession is about
listening and understanding people’s views,
and interpreting this information to guide
brands, organisations or governments
when making decisions. From the everyday
products we use, the programs we watch on TV or live streams from our mobile devices, the food we eat, to governmental
policies, humanitarian causes – research
must continue to play its key role in guiding
and supporting effective and timely policy
decisions in the journey from concept to
citizens and end-users.
Our sector’s role is about analysing
and interpreting (the right) data to build
information and knowledge that can be
used to predict future events, actions or
behaviours. This is where the real skill of our
profession lies. Insights enable people all
over the world to understand and interpret
the increasingly complex world we live in
and insights will enable us to overcome the
grave impacts this crisis will wreak upon our
societies.

Michael Soko
MD

15/01/2019

13/11/2018

Data collectors needed to collect data from farmers over 4-5 days.
Minimum grade 12, previous data collection experience a bonus. Must be resident in the following areas-
Serenje x5
Mkushi x5
Lusaka x12
WhatsApp or call on 0976123456 or call on 0950781727