On 27 March, we’re hosting a live debate on common misconceptions about Africa. Sign up to attend or nominate the myth you’d like to see debunked

Africa is dangerous, don’t go there. Africa is a country – or it may as well be. Africa will always be poor. All African governments are corrupt. Bored already? These are just some of the myths that those familiar with the continent will have had to contend with at one time or another.

Why do such myths persist – and who is responsible? Is it individuals, the media, or a combination of both? How damaging are these fallacies to development on the continent? If you live in Africa, or are part of the diaspora, how does this affect you?



Of course, it’s not only Africa that has to put up with a host of misconceptions. Last year, Hans Rosling, the popular statistician, hosted a BBC show to explode myths surrounding global population, claiming that the Brits “know less about the world than chimpanzees”. And the theme of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s annual letter was three common development myths that block progress for the poor. Contributions from our readers on Twitter helped to highlight just how widespread development myths have become.



This month, the Guardian’s Hugh Muir will attempt to debunk some of those false notions with an expert panel at #Guardiancoffee. Please RSVP using this form. If you can’t attend in person, you can still help us choose which myths about Africa we should focus on by adding your thoughts in the comment thread, or on Twitter @gdndevelopment.

As always, if you have any problems posting a comment, or would prefer to comment anonymously, email us at development@theguardian.com and we’ll add your views to the thread.

Join the live debate:



We will be joined on the night by panelists Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell of the Policy Centre for African Peoples; Edward Paice, Director of Africa Research Institute and Onyekachi Wambu from AFFORD, the African Foundation for Development.

When: 27th March from 6.30pm - 7.15pm



Where: Units 1,2,3, Box Park, 2-10, Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London E1 6GY

RSVP: using this form, please note places are limited and will operate on a first come, first served basis