Everyone knows about Africa's problems, said Sudanese-born mobile phone entrepreneur and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, speaking on campus April 27. But few hear about the continent's quiet success stories, its unsung heroes -- or even about daily life in its 53 countries, many of which are "just like Ithaca," he said. In other words: pretty boring.

Ibrahim, founder of Celtel, one of Africa's most successful businesses, gave the Henry E. and Nancy Horton Bartels 2009 World Affairs Fellowship Lecture, titled "Africa Works: With Good Governance, Investments and a Little Help From Our Friends" in Kennedy Hall's Call Auditorium.

"Africa has its problems, but there's a huge gap between perceptions and reality," he said.

Contrary to popular belief, he argued, it is possible -- and profitable -- to run a business in Africa without succumbing to corruption.

And while people around the world hear about human rights abuses and autocratic leaders, he said, responsible, honest governance exists as well.

Recognizing and rewarding such leadership -- like that of former Mozambique President Joachim Chissano and former Botswana President Festus Mogae (who spoke at Cornell earlier in April) is vital, Ibrahim said.

Chissano and Mogae are the first two leaders to be awarded the Mo Ibrahim Prize, which the self-described "accidental businessman" established through his philanthropic foundation in 2006 to support African leaders who "come in the democratic way, do the job well and then leave on time."

He added: "Without good governance there's no way to move forward." Along with recognizing and rewarding good leadership, the Ibrahim Prize, the world's largest prize worth $7 million over 10 years, was designed to stimulate debate -- and ultimately, "to send a message for the African people -- a message of hope; a message of self-confidence," he said.

To students who aspire to do business in Africa, Ibrahim had this advice:

"Do a clean business. Have good governance. It pays," he said. "Be honest. [And] turn your employees into shareholders in the company. You'll make more money, actually."

And for the people of Africa, he said, he sees a bright future.

"We have good people, we have good leaders, we have good history -- let us stand up; let us dust off our pants and get moving."

For Kobbina Awuah '09, a mechanical engineering student and entrepreneur from Ghana, the message was inspiring.

"I thought it was a brilliant presentation," Awuah said. "Dr. Ibrahim is somebody that we as Africans admire a lot ... he set the standard, and I don't think it should be lower than that anywhere. This is a guy who has done it the right way, and it should be done the right way. I think it was great."

The lecture was sponsored by the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies.