Raw materials in African countries have been and continue to be exploited by others. It's time for these countries to change the narrative through the manufacturing and exportation of finished goods.

For too long, African countries have had their raw materials taken advantage of by other countries. The time has come for them to take charge of these materials, invest in themselves, and start manufacturing their way to success.

2020 marks the start of a new decade of opportunity for African countries to capitalize on their resources and grow their economies. As technological advancements grow by the day, what countries will take this opportunity and emerge as leaders?

In order for African countries to prosper in 2020 and the new decade, they must adhere to the template of success that has been laid out for them by countries with similar circumstances.

In order for African countries, in this case Nigeria, to begin to reap the rewards of economic growth and development, they must make it their mission to cut out the problems that continue to inhibit their success.

As we start to head into a new decade, no longer can African nations rely on their victim mentality to explain their current circumstances. It’s going to take strong leadership to look forward not backward, in order to improve.

Perhaps the biggest deterrent and most widely known theme of when people think about Africa is the corruption that exists. Corrupt political and business deals with foreign countries pad the pockets of those at the top while stunting the growth of the respective country.

Throughout history, leaders with the big ideas that would help reshape the world, were only able to manifest these ideas by having extreme focus. Focus, combined with wanting to empower and inspire others, helped embolden them into the history books for impacting the success of their country.

Poor government leadership and spending has been a detriment to the economic development of African countries for far too long. Government funds need to be invested into promising companies that create sustainable economic growth.

Entrepreneurship and capitalism are the tried and true driving forces behind sustainable economic development. African countries cannot hope to build an economy around natural resources or aid from other countries; these can be supplemental factors but never the backbone for economic prosperity.