"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
PRESENTS
POSITIVE DECISIONS SHAPING AFRICA’S FUTURE
USA-SA BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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EXCLUSIVE
Carl NOFFKE (Prof)
21 June 2005
POSITIVE DECISIONS SHAPING AFRICA’S FUTURE
Never before in Africa’s history has a more timely convergence of positive events and policy decisions contributed to recent landmarks aimed at changing the continent’s political, social and economic landscape for ever.
The United States and the European Union (EU) issued a promising joint declaration on June 20. The declaration reiterated their commitment to accelerate efforts “in support of democratic African nations”. Both the US and the EU “acknowledged African ownership of present and future development on the African continent”.
The joint declaration was issued by the White House in connection with the US-EU Summit in Washington, DC, where President Bush hosted Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the Council of the EU, and José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.
Furthermore, the week started on a positive note with two key international conferences underscoring the vast untapped resources of the continent: the World Chambers Congress meeting in Durban, South Africa, and the summit of the [US] Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in Baltimore, Maryland. Both meetings reflected growing confidence in Africa.
This year’s summit of the highly industrialised countries of the world, the Group of 8 (G-8) due to meet in Gleneagles, Scotland, in two weeks’ time will bring to a close a series of recent developments aimed at drastically helping African political and business leaders to restructure the continent.
By giving priority to Africa, this year’s G-8 Summit will put into place a series of initiatives aimed at providing assistance to the poorest nations, and supporting economic reform and promoting long-term growth.
The decision to provide up to 100% debt relief for African Development Fund loans, as well as additional resources to poor countries to finance new development projects, have been widely welcomed in Africa. Eliminating debt and giving more money “will provide significant support for countries’ efforts to reach their development goals” said Randal Quarles, a high-ranking US Treasury official on June 8, a view widely supported by influential business and political leaders.
The accent of the G-8 nations, as well as the multilateral donor institutions and individual countries will be to advance democracy and opportunity on the continent of Africa.
Meetings, such as that of five leaders of African countries – Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia and Niger – with Pres. George W. Bush and high-ranking administration officials and members of Congress on June 13 point to a new era in Africa’s political and economic history.
Africa not only needs the support of the wealthy nations but has acquired powerful allies in these countries as never before.
The British engineered Commission for Africa, the US Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) Initiative are examples of recent positive initiatives by wealthy nations involving both public and private participation. The ICF, for example, will provide the private sector, G-8 countries and donor agencies with a practical opportunity to reduce barriers to investment, thus contributing to Africa’s sustainable development.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
02 August 2005
I was recently at the US-African Summit. I was quite pleased with the
USA-UK initiatives to contribute significantly to reducing debt and poverty
in Africa.
My only regret, as an American, is that such action has taken
so long.
I've read Prof Carl Noffke's "POSITIVE DECISIONS SHAPING AFRICA'S
FUTURE." his point that "The ICF, for example, will provide the private
sector, G-8 countries and donor agencies with a practical opportunity to
reduce barriers to investment, thus contributing to Africa's sustainable
development."
The words "sustainable development" being the key words.
Africa has long contributed to the sustainable development of the world,
and now it is the world's turn to repay it's debt.
Prof. Stephen E.Henthorne
UNITAR POCI
USA
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