And a whole continent full of rare materials and crude oil sits confused and a little dusty

The generalized continent of Africa has been robbed of its family figureheads, literally, and later its resources. Its social set-up is dependent on an exported economy. Materials out, money out, money trickled back in much later, handwashed a couple of times. What it needs is a source of validation for individual leaders. Universities, respected and sought after universities, so that graduates can start business to manage resources and finances, buy back some colonial land, become a viable world market. It's one of the few remaining through and through third worlds, but it contains the resources, manpower and history to become a leader on a global scale -- lacking only internal leadership on a global stage. That's where they should be getting rid of the politics of old and focusing on new-minded leadership, preferably inexperienced in the corrupt (really) system.