{
  "id": 893698,
  "title": "‘Africa is not a problem continent, but an opportunity continent’ – Wakanow CEO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/africa-is-not-a-problem-continent-but-an-opportunity-continent-893698",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-14T16:45:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/africa-is-not-a-problem-continent-but-an-opportunity-continent-wakanow-ceo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bayo Adedeji, the CEO of Wakanow, emphasized the need for Africans to change their perspective on challenges and focus more on opportunities. He argued that Africa's future hinges on its ability to identify and utilize opportunities instead of solely dealing with problems. Successful entrepreneurs and leaders, according to Adedeji, are not only capable of solving existing issues but also highly adept at spotting and seizing emerging opportunities. Speaking at the Empower Vault Summit at the University of Ghana, Adedeji advised young people on the importance of entrepreneurship and leadership, stressing the mindset required to effect meaningful change. He pointed out that Wakanow, while not the first travel agency globally, recognized an opportunity to make travel services more transparent and accessible through its platform. Adedeji grew up believing in identifying opportunities rather than problems, which he reflected using the metaphor of a doughnut, encouraging Africans to see potential around challenges rather than being overwhelmed by them. He urged a shift in the African narrative, urging the continent to be recognized as a hub of opportunities rather than being defined by its challenges. Adedeji argued that this mindset transformation could significantly impact Africa's development and its global image, asserting: \"We are not a problem continent, we are an opportunity continent.\"",
  "summary": "Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, Bayo Adedeji, has called for a fundamental shift in how Africans perceive challenges, urging them to focus more on opportunities than problems. He believes Africa’s future depends on its ability to identify and harness opportunities rather than focus solely on the challenges confronting the continent. According to Mr Adedeji, successful […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "‘Africa is not a problem continent, but an opportunity continent’ – Wakanow CEO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/africa-is-not-a-problem-continent-but-an-opportunity-continent",
        "published": "2026-08-14T15:38:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Starr FM",
        "title": "Africa must shift from problem-solving to opportunity creation – Wakanow CEO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/africa-must-shift-from-problem-solving-to-opportunity-creation",
        "published": "2026-08-14T19:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}