‘COVID-19 creates new opportunities for Africa despite challenges’

Andrew Skipper is a Partner and Head of Africa Practice at a global law firm, Hogan Lovells. In this interview with Deputy News Editor JOSEPH JIBUEZE, he shares insights from the seventh edition of the Hogan Lovells Africa Forum, which held virtually and featured former political leaders.

 

Why were growth and sustainability at the centre of the conversations at this year’s Hogan Lovells Africa Forum?

First, let me point that it was interesting to have a virtual forum. A lot of these events rely on personal relationships, getting to know and talk to people. I was sitting in my office and talking to people across the world, including Africa, about how difficult things are now. But the level of optimism coming out from the discussions with a number of very senior leaders was quite outstanding, particularly for Africa. I think because the situation with COVID-19 appears to have slowed down the world’s economy, it has also encouraged people to deal with certain issues now which might have taken some time but in Africa’s case could be very good for the future.

What is the impact of COVID-19 on investment appetite across Sub-Saharan Africa? 

It’s certainly the case that Africa has eased suffering extremely from an economic basis in the short term. But if you look at what people are saying then there’s no denying that it’s extremely difficult. Of course, if you have a lockdown in a country like Nigeria where a very large proportion of people get paid day-to-day, you can’t keep going forever because people immediately suffer. But on the other hand, a lot of people want to see Africa doing things in Africa for Africans and taking a step beyond the traditional relationship with the rest of the world and saying: ‘We’re Africans; we want to do things for ourselves.’

Former Liberia President and others featured on the forum. Could you share some insights from the discussions? 

Absolutely. Yes, I was very moved and inspired by the words of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who as you all know is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the first democratically elected female leader in Africa from Liberia. She was very clear and positive that this is a very difficult time but everybody in Africa and the world needs to come together and do what is their duty. Africa is suffering more than the rest of the world in terms of both the current COVID-19 economics, but also generally in terms of the environment and sustainability. It’s critical, she says, that those who have taken should give back, that those who can answer some of the problems should work very closely with Africa.

What other thoughts were shared?

The West needs to work with Africa to be deliberate and build back better. It was a moving talk, a very straight talk in which she (Sirleaf) basically said we have got to get together; we’ve got to deal with this. That was exactly the same thoughts shared by the British Minister for Africa James Duddridge, who gave the opening address. Overall, the current and former political leaders are saying: ‘’This is a time when we have an opportunity to change. It’s difficult, but we have to change and we have to change for the better.’’

As the Head of Africa practice at Hogan Lovells, how have you and your staff adapted to the times? 

Well, it’s been very interesting. Being a global firm, we are in 40 different countries around the world. So, there’s an element of “virtuality” if I may put it that way, in everything we do. We’re well used to not talking to people in their presence. For me in particular, until three months ago, I spent every other weekend in Africa, in different parts and all over Africa building relationships and I love it.

What inspired the Forum?

Not being able to go to Africa, I sat down and thought: ‘How do we continue to make ourselves present?’ This (the pandemic) will go, hopefully, sooner rather than later, but it will go. So, I decided to do things like the Forum, reaching out to people. I’ve spoken to a range of very senior friends of mine in banking, culture, in government and I’ve been doing podcasts and reaching out to people generally.

What prospects are there for Africa?

Africa needs a rebrand, not just on a positive basis but a realistic basis. Projects in Africa are not riskier than projects elsewhere. There are incredible opportunities. It’s very easy to sit down and say: ‘’This is a terrible time’’. It is a terrible time and I’ve got colleagues who are sitting at home in a small flat with children having to home-school them at the moment and I know how difficult that is. But the key point is to keep your vision of what you want to do. Keep talking to people and make sure they understand that we will come out of this and that it will be better if we work hard.