South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday questioned whether Africa was more risky than other regions across the globe, arguing in a CNBC-moderated debate at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the continent was growing and moving forward.
"It looks like there is a perception about Africa that needs to be dealt with. I think there is evidence that Africa is growing. There is also evidence that African leaders have collectively come together to do things that is going to make Africa move forward," Zuma said.
"We have collectively dealt with the issue of democracy in the continent of Africa. We are entrenching democratic rule," he said.
(Read more: After Davos: Global Calm or Profound Change? )
The African region bounced back quickly from the 2008-2009 financial crisis and is seeing growth at levels well above those seen in developed economies, but analysts have questioned whether it can sustain such levels of growth.