A common perception of Africa is that its economic and social problems are intractable. It is a perception that is not entirely unrealistic. But Gobind Nankani, vice president of the Africa Region of the World Bank, thinks that by challenging the status quo, Africa's economic woes can be solved. Toward that end, he says, Africa's international partners have an important role to play to make their promises achieve actions and results. Nankani offered his insights and strategies for a prosperous Africa on March 31 at the third annual African Economic Forum. The forum, "Challenging the Status Quo: New Approaches for Africa's Prosperity," was sponsored by the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the SIPA Pan-African Network, Columbia Business School, Teachers College and the Mailman School of Public Health.