Source: Ventures
African countries are experiencing immense success in entrepreneurship,economic growth, and investment according to the recently launched Africa Prosperity Report.

But persistent social challenges in healthcare, education, safety and security continue to plague a promising future."Prosperity is not just about having a strong economy; it is about having great education, healthcare, and freedom to choose among other things," notes Nathan Gamester, Programme Director of the Prosperity Index. The Africa Prosperity Report provides a broad overview of Africa's performance by exploring both wealth and wellbeing of people on the continent. It also assesses how a nation performs in vital areas characterised in the form of eight sub-indices: Education, Economy & Opportunity, Governance, Health, Personal Freedom, Safety & Security and Social Security.

According to him, as African economies continue to grow, most African governments are faced with the challenge of ensuring that the fruits of growth transcends into critical socio-economic development and contribute to long term prosperity.

The 2014 Africa Prosperity Report identifies and examines three distinct groups of people who are identified as drivers of African prosperity. They include the well-educated, female entrepreneurs and the middle class. "By supporting education quality, female entrepreneurship, and the rising middle class, African countries could avoid a future where inequality and chronic poverty persist alongside wealth and prosperity." said Solene Dengler, a Research Analyst for the Prosperity Index.

She expressed belief that this will in turn empower disadvantaged groups that have been left out of the current economic boom, raising individual and national wellbeing.

Novella Bottini, Economist in the Prosperity Index, supports Solene's assertion. Novella believes that with regards to entrepreneurship, despite efforts to promote business across Africa, women are often left out. Therefore initiatives that support women empowerment and a more active participation in business will be key for future prosperity through increased economic activity, and larger investments in health and education of their families and communities.

The report concluded that the middle class plays a double role in driving prosperity. Its growing income levels and subsequent greater spending ability can spur a rebalancing era needed to boost economic growth and reduce poverty across the continent.