Africa can now look to the future with more confidence following commitments to increase support for development agenda by the continental funders and partners at the week-long 49th African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Kigali last week. 

This is especially to help Africa achieve its aspirations as articulated in Agenda 2063 - the future we want for Africa as an integrated, people-centred, prosperous Africa that is at peace with itself. The Kigali meetings were held under the theme, "The Next 50 years: The Africa We Want”.

Besides the main conferences, there were side meetings that constituted of diverse participants, ranging from policy-makers to members of the civil society and investors, bringing on board views of people from various backgrounds.

Some of the issues that took the centre stage at the conference include:

Role of agriculture in economic transformation

Since over two thirds of Africans depend on agriculture for their livelihood, boosting the sector was promoted as an effective strategy to reduce poverty and inequality.

With the potential to feed itself and other regions, Africa could be known one day, not just for its headline growth figures, but for its agricultural exports too, delegates concluded.

According to a report by the African Progress panel, in 2011, Africa imported food worth $35b. This is a market that African farmers could take advantage of. The African Progress panel, which is headed by Koffi Annan, releases the flagship publication on various aspects of Africa’s progress. The AfDB president Dr Donald Kaberuka urged African farmers to consider food crisis as an opportunity as there is less competition from Asia markets. 

Delegates observed that Africa has generated excitement from across the world with its impressive growth rates in recent times, but noted that the continent needed more than growth. "With young and rapidly growing populations, Africa needs jobs and opportunities, most of which can be found in the agricultural sector,” they said. 

Case studies featured several countries, including Rwanda and Cape Verde that are already demonstrating the possibilities for agricultural growth. In Ethiopia, for example, agriculture has been central to poverty reduction efforts, helping to halve the numbers of those living beneath the poverty line.

It was, however, noted that agriculture is still being shunned by the youth and the educated population.

Why green growth?

Evidence presented during various panel discussions showed that there is a direct relationship between green growth promotion and positive economic transformation. Countries that focus on minimising waste and pollution, maximising natural resources usage and strengthening the resilience of livelihoods exhibit high levels of sustainable economic growth, the conference was told.

Countries like Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique were cited as examples of nations that had a leadership role in promoting green growth and in turn had experienced tremendous development levels.

The link between the two aspects is that governments mainstream green growth into their national development planning; which includes providing technical assistance for integrating green growth into poverty reduction strategies and actions.

At the project level, green growth involved enabling more efficient and sustainable development outcomes through appropriate technology and practices.

To emphasise the importance of green growth, the African chapter of Sustainable Energy for All, was launched on the first day of the conference. Sustainable Energy for All is a global initiative started in 2011 to ensure universal access to energy services, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy in the world. 

African governments were urged to promote development plans that prioritise and avail sustainable energy for all, saying it is indispensable if the continent is to be transformed.

Benefits resulting from availing sustainable energy go beyond the energy sector to eradicating poverty, increasing food production and providing safe water.  

Intra-regional trade

To create the "Africa we want”, delegates observed that the continent should increase trade between itself and foster relations as "there was supply and demand internally” before doing business with other continents. Currently intra-African trade stands at 15 per cent compared to 54 per cent in Asia and 73 per cent in Europe.

To increase regional trade, it was noted that there is need to diversify African exports, build infrastructure to link markets and embark on integration to eradicate barriers that hinder cross-border trade.

Skills development and capacity building, especially for the young population, were seen as important to increase the chances of Africa trading with itself.

Role of leaders in fostering economic transformation

From the various side meetings, African leaders were urged to have a collective vision for the continent to achieve sustainable development for all, as well as believe and invest in the youth. 

From the discussions, it emerged that the continent needs regional and continental leadership that is reform-minded and committed to the entire population on the continent. It was noted that leadership was not only required on the economic or political front, but in all aspects. 

The delegates urged leaders to embrace a leadership style that strives to include the citizenry and pays more attention to their collective interests. "This is what Africa needs as we start on the journey for the next 50 years,” they said.