“There is always something new out of Africa,” said the First Century Roman scholar Pliny the Elder.

Unfortunately, the news out of Africa these days is usually bad. Even previously prosperous places like Zimbabwe and Kenya look unstable, and the great hopes for South Africa are turning into fears.

It need not be so. English-speaking Africa in particular is blessed with immense natural resources, people who are very entrepreneurial when given the chance, and, of course, the English language.

It may be unfair, but English is the language of international business and to be brought up with it gives an immediate competitive advantage. Added to that, many places in Africa have excellent schools and colleges – based on a real commitment to the value of education that put England itself to shame.

This is why one meets so many impressive African students in Britain and America. The tragedy of Africa is that these students, the best and the brightest of the continent, are bright enough to realise that they are unlikely to make the most of their talents in Africa.

One cannot blame them. Their assessment is accurate.

Africa’s problem is bad government. This is, of course, true of most of the world, but it is particularly true of most African states.

If English-speaking Africa could only develop a tradition of strong, honest, competent, minimalist government, there is no reason why it should not rival English-speaking India as the rising economic power of the world, and the place to invest for the future.