The Pan African Think Tank, a Texas-based organisation, has partnered with the Tanzania Youth Coalition to promote cooperation in agribusiness, real estate, investment, education, and cultural exchange. This initiative aims to bridge the divide between Africans on the continent and people of African descent in the diaspora. The partnership seeks to address misconceptions and limited knowledge of shared history.
The initiative's founder, C. Nichole, says her travels exposed her to a lack of knowledge among people of African descent about one another's history and experiences. She realised that people of African descent lack adequate education about their history, leading to contentious issues and misunderstandings. The organisation initially sought to identify common challenges affecting people of African descent globally.
Education and entrepreneurship emerged as key areas for the organisation's programmes, which cover cultural history, heritage, entrepreneurship, economics, and education. Projects are implemented in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Nichole says stereotypes have contributed to misunderstandings on both sides, with African Americans encountering images of Africa dominated by poverty and conflict.
The partnership is seeking to establish practical links in agribusiness, bringing African American students and farmers to Tanzania to visit farms, meet organisations, and participate in workshops. It also organises investment visits that connect US businesspeople with Tanzanian farmers seeking investors and opportunities in import and export. Many Black farmers in the US are interested in opportunities in Africa.
Agriculture faces a perception problem among some young people, both in Africa and the diaspora. Nichole says some Black people in the US do not want to get into agriculture because they feel it is close to slavery. Her family owns a 200-acre farm in Texas, and she wants younger family members to become more involved in agriculture.
Education is another component of the initiative, with programmes seeking to improve understanding of African history and heritage. Nichole says the organisation aims to address gaps and inaccuracies in historical education while helping young people understand their roots. The organisation has worked with Tanzanian partners since 2020.
Looking ahead, Nichole says the goal is to make the agribusiness and food systems study programme an annual initiative while expanding investment activities in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. The long-term objective is to create links that go beyond visits and encourage sustained investment and partnerships, creating real economic opportunities on both sides.
Key points
- Pan African Think Tank partners with Tanzania Youth Coalition to promote cooperation
- Initiative aims to address misconceptions and limited knowledge of shared history
- Programmes focus on education, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness development
