Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says there is a danger in telling a ‘single story’ in that it creates stereotypes. The problem with a stereotype, according to her, “is not that it is untrue but that it is incomplete,” thus perpetuating one-sided views, typically negative.

When it comes then to assessing the current levels of prosperity found in Africa, opinions largely differ on how much praise or criticism is deserved. Typically, when levelling critique, what factors into these discussions are the historic setbacks the continent faced and how much that should excuse any lack of development seen today.

In terms of African countries’ failures, the aim here is to find balance on a continuum between two extreme views – on one end, soft permissiveness, indulging in the “bigotry of low expectations”, treating the continent like a baby and praising every insignificant achievement; and on the other end, prejudiced lambasting of the continent as historically and presently inept, incapable of betterment without foreign intervention. Somewhere in between blind or intellectually dishonest lenience and disdain should be a nuanced set of views that ultimately strive toward fairness. This article aims to contribute towards finding that balance.