Próspera is leading the way to prosperity in Latin America
Próspera is on the edge of innovation, job creation and prosperity building
Prescript: for the full experience, this is the song I was listening to while writing this. It is called “Vision”, by Paulo Buonvino.
I just returned from a great trip to Próspera on the island of Roatán, Honduras. Próspera is the leading model for the kind of next-generation special economic zone that I am eager to bring to Africa. In fact, I recently became the cofounder of Próspera-Africa so that I can bring the model to Africa. I am actively talking to various countries in Africa (all of the locations are confidential for now).
As my regular readers know, jobs, prosperity, and dignity for Africans is my raison d’être. The reason why I am so excited about Prospera is because of the jobs created for local Hondurans. These jobs are spread across many sectors, including construction, retail, hospitality, security, entertainment and many more, enabling citizens to prosper and live their lives with dignity instead of depending on government aid.
One of the other wonderful things that Próspera has brought is recognition for Honduras. Max Medina is a young Honduran native who won an award in architecture.
He is the lead architect for Próspera on Roatán, Honduras, and his building design for the Circular factory was voted the best architectural design in 2023.
Próspera also has innovative buildings. They have 14-story Duna Towers, designed to fit in beautifully and seamlessly with the local natural environment. It is managed by a local Honduran construction company that can showcase its work there for other projects across Central America and Latin America, and it has brought hundreds of jobs and innovative building practices to Honduras.
In addition, Próspera has attracted international investors and entrepreneurs because of its regulatory freedoms. In particular, the domain of biotechnology. Próspera has become known as a leading center of cutting-edge technology such as gene therapy. I know people getting cancer treatments at Próspera and longevity treatments that bring them more vitality. Indeed, there was a gathering called Vitalia where people from around the world, including entrepreneurs and passionate startup founders, were working towards greater vitality.
This kind of dynamism and global reputation is what I want to bring to Africa. Five years from now, I would like to see Africa have a city or a startup city that is creating thousands of jobs for locals. As well as attracting the best African scientists, entrepreneurs and adventurers to create globally recognized new industries.
I want to see Africa known as the cutting edge in multiple domains so that our best and brightest at home and in the Diaspora are eager to all converge home and build a brighter future for all Africans and the world by ricochet.
Part of this is what I call leapfrogging education. There was a panel at Vitalia that included educational models designed to help people get to cutting-edge, forefront research faster, quicker, and at a higher level (My husband, Michael Strong, was among the speakers; he is working with me on our educational programs in Africa). In startup cities, we will also educate the next generation of Africans so they can participate in frontier research and entrepreneurship.
Próspera attracted internationally known entrepreneurs and investors, including Shrinivas and Naval Ravikant, who both visited while I was there.
I know Africans are beyond discouraged by many of our leaders. What is striking is that Próspera managed to be launched despite very flawed governments. All we need are governments that allow us to create zones where we can proceed to implement law and governance, de facto establishing a zone with a world-class environment in a country that is otherwise ranked poorly in terms of economic freedom.
Per example, Honduras ranks #133 out of 190 countries on the Ease of Doing Business Index, whereas the startup city of Próspera would rank #9 (add graph). After that, we don’t need to depend on whatever flaws the government has at that time.
By bringing the best governance internationally available to places where bad laws and regulations have long prevented economic development, these special jurisdictions like Próspera can unleash human potential and enable prosperity-building. This is the model that has been successfully implemented in cities such as Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen.
But most of all, watch this video and see the light and twinkle in Max’s eyes. These eyes and the light in them speak of the tremendous belief in the bright future for his beloved Honduras Max has. He is full of hope and optimism for his future and the future of his country. It gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes. This is the optimism I dream to see in the eyes of my young people back home. Also note the great attention and careful consideration he has for his native land. Despite the cards we were dealt with, we in the Global South, remain connected to Mother Earth in sacred ways wealthy nations have lost the Art of. And of course it shows in how he approaches his design architecture.
This is all so clear for me now. This is the promise of Startup Cities, especially as executed by the Prospera team, who approach everything with their great minds working in perfect tandem with their beautiful hearts. It is a promise I believe in with all my heart and all my mind.`
And that is the reason I am proud to have joined Próspera to co-found Prospera-Africa and why I’m determined to bring its model to Africa in the upcoming years, so that Africans also know what it is like to be surrounded by opportunities to thrive. Let’s work together to create Africa’s bright future! Follow me to learn about Prospera, Startup Cities, and my work with others in the Cheetah Generation to create mass prosperity, jobs, and dignity across Africa!
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I enjoyed your article. I just visited Prospera myself this past weekend. I believe this is the future model for governance and economic development.