Mo Ibrahim: ‘It is the head of the fish that goes rotten first’

While crisscrossing Africa as a telecoms entrepreneur in the 1980s and 1990s, Sudanese-born Mo Ibrahim began asking questions that would eventually determine his unique philanthropic strategy.

“If you fly above Africa, you’ll notice a vast stretch of fertile terrain with waterfalls. He describes Africa as “a tremendously rich continent.” “Then you inquire as to why we are poor?”

Mr. Ibrahim quickly discovered the source of his problem: poor governance. During his career, he founded two telecoms companies: Mobile Systems International, a cellular consultancy and software firm, and Celtel International, one of Africa’s largest mobile phone companies, which he sold for $3.4 billion in 2004. Managing these businesses necessitated engaging with both the government and the local business community. “Working in Africa at the time, it was evident to me that the problem was our failure to build the correct system of governance in our countries,” he says.

According to him, the issues extend to when African countries were winning independence from colonial overlords. “Independence was a flag and a national anthem when the colonial system disintegrated, and power was given over in a hurry…” So we didn’t put any effort into establishing institutions.”

He claims that the political scene became “far worse” during the Cold War. Human rights violations, a lack of openness, and rampant corruption were all serious roadblocks to African growth.

Mr. Ibrahim decided to put his money to work after selling his businesses and gaining a fortune. He established the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2006, intending to create a unique philanthropic strategy to support good governance. His strategy is twofold: responsible honor leaders with the annual Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership Achievement and spotlight countries with exemplary governance through the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG).

The winners will get $5 million in ten-year installments of $500,000, plus $200,000 each year for the rest of their lives. Laureates of the Ibrahim Prize can also qualify for an extra $200,000 per year for philanthropic initiatives. Mr. Ibrahim established the prize to honor “unsung heroes” – African leaders who were democratically elected, advanced their country’s democracy and human rights, worked toward higher wealth, then peacefully resigned office. “It’s the fish’s head that goes bad first,” he says. “What is required is to shine a light on the leadership’s performance.”

Former presidents Joaquim Alberto Chissano of Mozambique, Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana, and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia have all won. Nelson Mandela was the first honorary laureate in 2007.

The award has its detractors, with some seeing it as little more than a bribe to urge African presidents to resign. Former African presidents, Mr. Ibrahim responds, can make even higher sums after stepping down if they so wish. He says, “It’s a very little quantity.” “It’s not a motivator.” He claims that the prize is merely a reward for good behavior. He said, “These are people who have brought their country forward and have departed with clean hands.” “They should serve as role models for our youth.”

Mr. Ibrahim claims that when it comes to the selecting process, he follows strict guidelines. Former Irish President Mary Robinson, Mozambican politician and humanitarian Graça Machel, and Egyptian diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei are among the foundation’s board of directors, which conducts its research and functions autonomously. The prize is not given if no leaders who match the criteria can be discovered. This has been the case for a long time.

“We have to put what we teach into practice,” Mr Ibrahim argues.

The IIAG country rating, on the other hand, is based on data from 36 independent global agencies and is created using official statistics, expert reviews, and citizen polls.

The index produces a single overall score per country based on 100 variables and four primary areas — safety and the rule of law; participation and human rights; sustainable economic opportunity; and human development — and presents a complete picture of governance throughout the continent.

“People can readily grasp why one country is performing better and what is missing by making it easy and putting numbers against it,” he argues. “Our goal is to bring the topic of governance into everyday dialogue.”

Mr. Ibrahim considers himself to be more of an activist than a philanthropist, and as such, he is unfazed by the issues he sees in Africa.

He says, “I’m trying to change things.” “Because we can’t move forward unless we change the way we run our countries, control our people, allocate resources, and build a fairer, more transparent system.”

He goes on to say that other benefactors should follow suit. “It’s unacceptably inconsiderate to turn your back and claim you don’t care.”

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