Why are some countries rich while others stay poor?

In 2020, the World Bank’s Doing Business report gave one of the clearest answers.

It ranked 190 countries on how easy it is to start and run a business.

The results were eye-opening: 🧵 The idea was simple:

People are poor because they don’t have money.

They don’t have money because they don’t have income.

Most income comes from jobs, and jobs come from entrepreneurs.

But entrepreneurs can’t create jobs in a vacuum. They need a system that lets them.

In 2004, the rulers of Dubai did something brilliant that almost nobody talks about.

They created a small legal zone, just 110 acres.

Inside it, they didn’t use UAE law. They used English common law.

That changed everything.

Let me explain: 🧵 The place is called DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre).

It’s not just some fancy office park. 

It’s a place where the rules are completely different.

Contracts, judges, courts… everything inside DIFC runs on common law, just like London or New York.

Why does that matter?

12 rules to keep Africa poor: 🧵 1. Blame colonialism for everything and ever take responsibility.

The biggest LIE told about Africa? 

That socialism is somehow "African" while free markets are "Western colonialism."

Truth: Africa had thriving free markets & trade routes CENTURIES before Europeans arrived. 

Let me explain… Ever heard of Timbuktu? 

It was the heart of a vast trading network in Africa. 

African merchants moved gold, salt, textiles & books across the Sahara. 

Market women dominated local trade.

By 2030, Africa will make up 80% of the world's poor.

This is not inevitable, it’s a choice.

And if we make the right choices, Africa can become a global hub of innovation, growth, and prosperity.

Every person must read “The capitalist revolution Africa needs.” (The Economist)

Let’s break it down 👇🏾 The article highlights Africa's growing role in the world:

• In 2030, more than half of the young people entering the global workforce will be African.

• Africa’s population share will jump from 13% in 2000 to 21% by 2030.

Opportunity is knocking. 

But are we ready?

Africa is rich in resources, but its people are POOR.

Something is clearly missing.

What is it?

The answer: economic freedom.

(A THREAD 🧵) Economic freedom isn’t complicated. 

It just means people can work, trade, and start businesses without being blocked by high taxes, overregulation, or endless rules. 

It means people have the power to build their own futures.

(Economic Freedom Index by @FraserInstitute)

Thomas Sankara, Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Julius Nyerere…

These are the names that come up when most people talk about great African leaders.

But there’s one GREAT leader no one is talking about:

Seretse Khama.

He completely TRANSFORMED Botswana, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing economies in the world.

Here's how: From birth, Seretse Khama was marked as a person who would bring unity to his people.

His parents were the King and Queen of the Bamangwato clan. In 1921, they gave their son the name Seretse—“the clay that binds.”

12 principles I live by (practical advice):

A THREAD 🧵 1. Personal Responsibility For One’s Actions

Victimhood is the opium of those who don’t believe in themselves.

If you don’t take ownership of your actions, you’ll never be great.

​​When you reject playing the victim and take ownership of your actions, you empower yourself to change your situation.

No matter your starting point, the important thing is to keep moving forward.

Why are North Korea and South Korea so different?

The surprising answer is economic freedom: After World War II, Korea was divided into two separate zones.

North Korea was controlled by the Soviet Union.

South Korea was controlled by the United States.

In other words: Communism vs. Capitalism.

Here’s how those ideologies transformed the two countries:

How did Singapore go from a third world country…

To becoming one of the most financially successful countries in the world?

The answer may surprise you: When Lee Kuan Yew rose to power, Singapore was facing:

- Poverty
- Poor infrastructure
- Limited access to healthcare and education

Singapore was an island of mudflats and swamps.

But within 40 years, LKW transformed it into a thriving metropolis and global economic leader.

I am a haunted person.

You would be, too.

The one thing I — and the people of Africa — have been told over and over: Africans are inferior.
And African culture is inferior.

Sometimes it's said directly. Sometimes in more subtle ways.

It can become hard not to believe…

People think Africa can't become a global player due to a perceived "lack of education and talent."

They argue that without a highly educated population, we're destined to remain poor and underdeveloped.

But they're missing the point: Yes, education is essential.

But it's not the sole factor determining a country's prosperity. There are plenty of educated and talented individuals in Africa who are eager to contribute to our development.

The real issue is law and regulation.