, Columnist
How India Could Transform Africa
An Aadhaar-like digital ID system would boost growth as much as Chinese-built roads.
African women are particularly desperate for identification.
Photographer: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty Images
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Over the last two decades, China has invested more than $125 billion in Africa to build ports, highways, airports, railways and other infrastructure. Chinese President Xi Jinping says funds, to the tune of $60 billion, will continue to flow because “inadequate infrastructure is believed to be the biggest bottleneck to Africa’s development.”
China’s largesse has certainly benefited the continent. An Indian innovation, however, could be what African countries really need.