Aid Versus Trade – Lunch w/ TED

“Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former finance minister of Nigeria, sums up four days of intense discussion on aid versus trade on the closing day of TEDGlobal 2007, and shares a personal story explaining her own commitment to this cause.”  In the context of typical conversation on the topic, I am a “trade” guy.  When it comes down to it, I think “aid” has its place, but it’s good old fashioned entrepreneurship and leadership that is needed in Africa – or, at least that is what I thought.  Ms. Okonjo-Iweala has begun to convince me to look more closely at “aid” in addition to trade.

I would love to hear from people who have thought a lot about problems facing the various countries in Africa.  Where do you see the “aid v trade” argument going?  What seems to be working?  If you had the means, what would you support?  How would you go about loving your “neighbors” in Africa?