is that Africa is rich and not just in resources but in untapped potential. The narrative that Africa must always seek aid disregards the continent’ s immense wealth. The African Development Bank estimates that Africa’ s natural resources could add $ 30 billion annually to its economies by 2030 if properly harnessed. Yet, the scarcity mindset perpetuated by years of reliance on aid and foreign intervention continues to overshadow this reality.
The challenge for Africa is not a lack of resources or talent. It is the urgent need to shift this mindset. Until Africans believe that the solutions to their problems lie within, the cycle of dependency will continue, and the true wealth of the continent will remain underutilized.
Life can never reward you beyond the permission of your mindset and if your mindset has been shaped by lies, you will never rise above those lies. One lie we have heard repeatedly is that the world is a place of scarce resources, and so people are sentenced to struggle due to global poverty. But is this true? If you read my book Why Do Some Dream of Success While Others Wake to Achieve it, you will see an entire segment dedicated to wealth in an unfair world.
It is unfair because the majority of people on earth have bought into a lie that has become their reality. Estimating Earth’ s total wealth involves assessing various forms of capital, including produced, natural, and human resources. Here’ s a breakdown based on available data: With approximately 8 billion people globally, the average wealth per person would be $ 144,000. This should be the minimum for everyone on earth so it means there is enough for everyone. However, we have believed a lie.
In 2020, the global balance sheet recorded approximately $ 520 trillion in real assets, encompassing tangible assets like infrastructure, machinery, and buildings. Natural capital, which includes resources such as minerals, fossil fuels, forests, and agricultural land, was also valued significantly, with hydroelectric assets alone estimated at $ 3.5 trillion. Human capital, representing the economic value of a population’ s skills, knowledge, and abilities, accounted for 65 % of global wealth in 2014. In addition to these, Earth’ s ecosystems provide invaluable services like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation, with a 1997 study estimating these services to be worth $ 33 trillion annually; a figure that has likely grown over time. When combining produced, natural, and human capital, the total wealth of Earth was estimated at $ 1,152 trillion in
2018, highlighting the vast resources and potential that exist globally.
The scarcity mindset- that belief that resources are limited, therefore stands as one of the most restrictive forces in human existence, fostering competition rather than collaboration. This mindset traps billions in the belief that wealth is out of reach, despite overwhelming evidence of abundance. The top 10 % of the world’ s population control approximately 76 % of global wealth, with countries like Monaco boasting average annual incomes of $ 186,080 per person, placing their residents comfortably within this elite group. In stark contrast, nations like Burundi report average incomes of just $ 220 per person. The disparity reflects more than economic conditions; it also reveals a psychological divide. The wealthy operate in a space of abundance, while the rest have been conditioned to believe they do not belong. This top 10 % holds more wealth than the remaining 7.2 billion people combined, not because the resources do not exist, but because the majority have accepted the narrative of scarcity.
Social media does not help things either. It is full of flashy lifestyles and fake success stories that make people more obsessed with looking rich than actually being rich. Everywhere you turn, it is Musk this, Bezos that, Gates over there; thus turning these billionaires into the yardstick for success. But that is not the full picture, and deep down, many people know it. The problem is, they do not know how to break free from the lie.
Listen, there is no scarcity of resources in the world; the world is actually overflowing with abundance. Opportunities are everywhere, but if your mind is stuck in survival mode, you will never see these opportunities. It is therefore time to stop playing small and start thinking big. Forget the crumbs, there is more than enough to go around, and it is waiting for those who are bold enough to claim it.
The danger of parading fake flashy lifestyles on social media is that it has pushed many people into putting more effort into looking rich rather than being rich. They crave the effects of wealth without the substance. This distorted perception of what it means to be rich has led to false hopes and inevitable disappointments. People become fixated on the outward appearance, wearing fake Rolex watches, counterfeit jewellery, and knock-off Louis Vuitton bags; just to project an image of wealth, even though there is no real foundation behind it.
The reality is that Money is not the solution to a financial problem. If it were, getting money would permanently erase financial struggles. But we know that is not the case. A perfect example? Look at the countless people who have won the lottery over the years. Many of them ended up broke, sometimes worse off than before their big win. Why? Because the problem was never about the money; it was about the mindset of handling the money. Until that shifts, no amount of wealth will ever be enough.
Real wealth starts on the inside. It is not about what you wear, drive, or post on social media. It is about the way you think and how you position yourself to create lasting abundance.
It doesn’ t matter where you look, as long as people do not have the right mindset for wealth, no amount of money can solve their financial problems. Money indeed is not a solution to financial problems. All the cash in the world will not help without the right mindset.
When we talk about the right mindset, what exactly do we mean? Does having a lot of knowledge or even being considered a wise person equate to having the right mindset? Is it intelligence? Is it being well-read or having advanced degrees? Can wisdom alone lead to financial success?
The truth is, having a lot of knowledge or even being considered a wise person does not automatically equate to having the right mindset for success, especially financial success. Some of the most brilliant people in history have lived in poverty or struggled financially throughout their lives. The reason is simple. While knowledge is valuable, the mindset that governs how that knowledge is applied makes all the difference.
A growth mindset, resilience, and the ability to seize opportunities are essential. The right mindset allows individuals to translate what they know into actionable steps that lead to breakthroughs. Without it, even the most extraordinary talents can remain hidden or underutilized. History offers countless examples of brilliant, knowledgeable individuals whose lives remind us that genius alone is not enough.
Nikola Tesla’ s name is synonymous with innovation. His inventions paved the way for modern electricity, radio,
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