Nigeria, Oct. 9 -- I was on LinkedIn the other day when I came across this screaming headline: "Everyone has a plan for Africa, except Africa." At first, I was so engrossed by the headline that I thought, wow, what an apt description. The accompanying write-up reinforced the point by citing various engagements between Africa and its external partners, while also drawing attention to the fragmentation within Africa itself.

So yes, the headline is captivating. But it could also be very misleading. Perhaps it is another reminder of the old saying: do not judge a book by its cover.

What is more important to me in this reflection is not what the writer has argued. Rather, the headline triggered a different question for me: what has Africa co...