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Funke Adenodi Akinbuli Helps Disabled in Africa Live With Dignity & Respect

If you didn't already know, most of Africa’s disabled [including the blind, paraplegic etc.] citizens live in deplorable conditions. Most are unemployed and can be found on Africa’s major streets and highways placing themselves in harm’s way as they beg for money to meet their basic needs. Rarely will you find a paraplegic in Africa, for example, with necessary medical equipment i.e. wheelchair. Most navigate the streets and freeways on their hands. Sadly, a lot of Africa’s citizens have become desensitized to the deplorable conditions of the disabled partly because most are frustrated with economic and political conditions in the continent and are barely trying to keep heads above water. Others just have no idea where to begin helping and still most lack awareness of the plight of the disabled.

Leveraging on China’s Thirst to Develop Africa
I recently heard a great daughter of Africa tell a story of two sisters who chose two different paths.

Is Africa Choking on its own development?

Majority of African countries have reported increased economic growth rates over the past year signalling a wave of new foreign direct investments on the continent. This is good news given that increased returns from such investments will fuel Africa’s quest for development. However, this has had some negative connotations because benefits of such growth are not visible in major cities across Africa.

5.3.5 Micro and small enterprises: Public sector training
Generalisations abound about the generally poor performance of public sector training institutions in supporting MSEs.

3.1.4 Overall resource availability: Training priorities, resources and reorientation
The extent of public sector training for the poor is also strongly influenced by resource availability and the overall incidence of poverty.

3.1 The public sector: Training priorities, resources and reorientation

"While there is long history of poverty-focused training in developed industrial economies, it is still relatively rare in the large majority of developing countries where most of the poor live" (Malik, 1996:46). This seems particularly ironic given that most of the world's poor live in developing countries. The following discussion looks at why public sector training priorities continue to favour non-poor groups. We shall focus in particular on the design of poverty reduction programmes, overall resource availability and competing claims over training resources from other sectors and groups.

VIII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Stock Market Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
Over the past few decades, the world stock markets have surged, and emerging markets have accounted for a large amount of this boom. In Africa, new stock markets have been established in Ghana, Malawi, Swaziland, Uganda, and Zambia. The rapid development of stock markets in Africa does not mean that even the most advanced African stock markets are mature.

VII F. Attract Capital Flows and Encourage Foreign Participation: PROMOTING STOCK MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
Private capitals flows—foreign direct investment, remittances and portfolio investment and are an important for stock market development.

Introduction: Stock Market Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
This paper examines the economic importance and the future of African stock markets. It seeks to shed light on the controversial link between stock market and economic growth— from both corporate finance and macroeconomic perspectives. It also discusses policy options for promoting the development of the stock market in Africa.

V. B. African Demand for Infrastructure: AID VS. COMMERCE: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE GROWING TIES
Inadequate infrastructure is one of the top constraints to business in Africa, where energy and transportation are among the main bottlenecks to productivity growth and competitiveness.

III. C. Commercial Policies: THE ROLE OF CHINA’S PUBLIC SECTOR
Market access and trade policy are important in fostering China-Africa trade. The Chinese government in January 2005 implemented the Special Preferential Tariff Treatment (SPTT), which removes the tariff from some 190 items exported to China from 25 of the least developed countries in Africa.

II.C. Other Debt-Creating Financial Flows: TRADE AND CAPITAL FLOWS BETWEEN CHINA AND AFRICA

Aside from intergovernmental loans, there are other debt-creating financial flows from China to Africa, mainly trade credits, some of which are medium- and long-term.13 Trade credit may be provided by suppliers or financial institutions. Of these the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) is the most active. Its total export credit and international guarantee business increased to US$19.8 billion in 2006, from US$15.2 billion in 2005. Though China Exim Bank does not report activities by region, there is clear evidence of significant and expanding operations in Africa.

II.B. Official Development Assistance and Debt Relief: TRADE AND CAPITAL FLOWS BETWEEN CHINA AND AFRICA
China started providing aid to Africa in 1956. By May 2006, it had contributed a total of 44.4 billion yuan (US$5.7 billion) for more than 800 aid projects, according to a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Science (He, 2006).

What s Holding Back Africa s Growth?
This plenary session discussed the contributing factors to Africa s poor economic growth, including the conclusions of the World Economic Forum s Africa Competitiveness Report 2004, and the actions that governments and business can take to promote economic growth. The discussion included calls from business participants and the panel for action against corruption on the continent.

Making Africa an Even Better Place to Do Business
Refreshingly, little time was wasted by Facilitator William Kalema, Chairman, Uganda Investment Authority; Commissioner, Commission for Africa, in getting discussions under way. Participants, he said, understood the issues.

Making Finance Work for Africa

South Africa’s success in getting the financial sector to extend services to poorer communities could be adapted for other African countries, said Trevor Manuel, Minister of Finance of South Africa. He told participants that this is exactly what has been achieved by South Africa’s Financial Sector Charter. The charter was developed some four years ago by the financial sector, including banks and insurers, after the government urged it to transform its practices and policies

Solid Growth in Sight, but There Are Risks

Solid growth is expected to continue in 2005 and 2006 – although at a slightly lower rate of 4.7 per cent in 2005 as the effect of new Central African oil fields ends. West Africa is expected to recover in 2005 and 2006, while the trend of positive growth in Eastern Africa and Southern Africa will continue over the next two years, reflecting rising oil production in Angola and improved performance in South Africa. This positive outlook is however highly dependent on the continuous expansion of the global economy, an overall easing of regional conflicts, and favourable weather conditions.

The Rise of China and India: What's in it for Africa?
China’s and India’s strong appetite for energy and metal has boosted international prices and the volume and value of African exports.

Conclusion: Human Capital and Economic Development
Africa has made large strides in raising literacy and school enrolments and improving health. However, in the case of both education and health these gains are lower than those in other developing countries.

Effects of education upon fertility: The Indirect Effects of Investment in Human Capital
Whether and how government policy should affect fertility is a controversial ethical issue. However, the UN International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in September 1994 highlighted the importance of enhancing female education as part of a successful population policy.

Productivity effects of ill health and malnutrition: The Effects of Human Capital on Economic Development
Less research has been done on the returns to health and nutrition than on the returns to education. This is partly because the non-monetary aspects of these returns - greater longevity, reduced suffering and absence of disability - are arguably more central than in the case of education.

The role of human and physical capital in growth: The Effects of Human Capital on Economic Development
We begin by a consideration of the links by which investment may affect the growth of output. Both physical and human capital directly impact on the productive capacity of an economy. However such direct effects may not be the most important.

Variation within the continent: Africa’s human development
Although it can be useful to consider Africa as a whole, there is considerable variation in human and economic development within the continent.

Trends since 1960: Africa’s human development
The welfare of Africans rose in both the 1960s and 1970s, whether assessed solely by GDP per capita or by the wider HDI.

Concluding Remarks: Enhancing Africa’s Trade: From Marginalization to an Export-Led Approach to Development

In the 19th and 20th centuries, trade has by and large been an engine of economic growth for the global economy. It has also acted as an engine of growth for particular national economies -- in the 19th century, Canada and Australia and in the 20th century, Japan. In recent years, trade has acted as an engine of growth for the newly industrializing countries of Southeast Asia, the so-called "Gang of Four", namely, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Export Promotion Strategies for Manufactured Goods: New Approaches to Trade Development in Africa
It is well known that the gains from export of processed and manufactured goods are greater than those from exporting primary commodities largely because of the higher value added. Therefore most developing countries aim at supplementing the exportation of primary products with the export of manufactures, and eventually, like the Asian Tigers, concentrating on processed and manufactured exports.

Removal of Barriers and Enhancement of Market Access: Barriers to African External Trade
It is now widely believed that a major challenge to the expansion of trade by African countries is that of increasing access to developed country markets.

Assessment of Impact of the WTO Provisions on Africa's Agricultural Exports
Bold as the 1994 Uruguay Round initiatives were, scholars are not convinced that the real motive behind them is actually the revitalization of the developing countries' agricultural export trade. Most

Enhancing Africa’s Trade: From Marginalization to an Export-Led Approach to Development
This paper reviews Africa’s role in the global trading system and discusses the constraints and options for Africa to move from its current marginalization to an exportled approach to economic development.

Institutional and Operational Arrangements of Micro-finance Institutions
A large number of MFIs have set-up networks in many African countries taking advantage of increased pressure on governments to deregulate the economy and the financial sector, encourage competition in all sectors, and create the conducive environment for increased production.

Introduction - Abstract - Factors Impeding the Poverty Reduction Capacity of Micro-credit: Some Field Observations from Malawi and Ethiopia

Poverty reduction has been identified as the overarching long term goal for most of the development interventions in Africa, and more recently crystallised in the Millennium Development Goals and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). In Africa, more than 40% of its 750 million people live below the internationally recognized poverty line of $1 a day, and the evidence is even more worrying for sub-saharan Africa.

Abstract - Factors Impeding the Poverty Reduction Capacity of Micro-credit: Some Field Observations from Malawi and Ethiopia

In most African countries women tend to account for an average 51% of the population, and make up about 65% of the rural labour force. Thus, many rural based micro-finance programmes have attempted to address the women specific need for micro-credit. This paper analyses the effectiveness of micro-credit as a means to reducing poverty, with particular focus on women, and demonstrates, through the critical analysis of some country-specific examples, that the use and supply of micro-credit does not always lead to a sustainable impact on household or female poverty reduction. Analysis of findings are done based on field data, interviews, and observations from Malawi and Ethiopia.

Sustained growth with equity is needed to halve poverty in Africa
Researchers predict that many African countries will not reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving extreme poverty by 2015. Will accelerated economic growth or better income distribution be most helpful in getting African countries get back on track to achieve the MDG poverty target?

New cable to connect eastern Africa
NEPAD pushes for cheaper, faster telecommunications

Policy Implications
The empirical work undertaken highlights a number of key policy-related and conventional variables that have significantly affected the growth performance of sub-Saharan Africa during 1981–97. To a large extent, it has also shown that the positive evolution of these variables has played an important role in the economic recovery of the region during 1995–97.

5.2 International economic integration and social justice: Working Out of Poverty
Policies to improve the governance of the labour market based on the decent work approach can create and enlarge the channels that ensure that sustainable growth yields the largest possible reduction in poverty. However, a large proportion of people experiencing extreme poverty live in countries that are themselves economically and socially excluded.

2.1 The cruel dilemma of school or work: Working Out of Poverty

The education and preparation for working life of the current generation of children are of key importance to the drive to reduce and eradicate extreme poverty. Access to basic education has improved in a large number of countries, but the poor have benefited much less than those who are better off. Over 115 million school-age children, mainly in low-income countries, were not in school in 1999; 56 per cent of them were girls. On current trends, a large number of South and West Asian and African countries are unlikely to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of ensuring that all children complete a full course of primary education by 2015.

6.5 Financing research to increase TFP: Economic Report on Africa 2007
The other major area in which new economic policies for diversification are required is in research. The majority of African countries, since the demise of diversification gain resorted to relying on factor accumulation as the main source of economic growth.

6.4 Industrialization policies key to deepened diversification: Economic Report on Africa 2007
With regard to industrial policies, it helps to recall that economic transformation is both a necessary and sufficient condition for industrialization. However, economic transformation cannot occur in the absence of diversification.

6.2 Trade and sectoral policies for diversification: Economic Report on Africa 2007
returning to the basics

6.1 Macroeconomic policies for diversification: Economic Report on Africa 2007
the need for pragmatism over orthodoxy

6.0 The Way Forward: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Policies for Achieving Diversification

5.3 Conclusion: Economic Report on Africa 2007

This chapter has shown that there are clear and measurable determinants of diversification in Africa at the continental, subregional and country level. Despite the inadequacy of African data, it may be said that, at least at the continental level, the diversification process is highly influenced by investment, per capita income, level of openness, macroeconomic policy stances, governance, and conflict.

5.2 Africa’s diversification regimes revisited: Economic Report on Africa 2007
A further link to productivity

5.2 Diversification-deepening policies raise growth and TFP: Economic Report on Africa 2007
What then do these results imply? They mean that pursuing diversification-deepening policies could help accelerate growth. Important policy implications of this link arise with respect to the determinants of diversification that were discussed earlier in the chapter.

5.2 Is it factor accumulation or total factor productivity that drives growth in Africa?: Economic Report on Africa 2007

To investigate the link between growth and diversification, it was important to first quantify the contribution of TFP to economic growth. This section analyses the sources of growth for African countries using the standard growth accounting method, making it possible to disaggregate the shares of growth contributed by TFP, capital and labour. Growth in output is the sum of the growth in capital, labour and TFP. Capital accumulation is an essential element in the growth process, as it enlarges the economy’s capacity to produce. Increases in labour or labour force have traditionally been considered a positive factor in stimulating economic growth.

5.2 Growth, productivity and diversification: Economic Report on Africa 2007
There is abundant literature that suggests that there is a two-way relationship between exports and growth. However, an important aspect of this evidence is that it is not just the level of exports that leads to growth but also the level of diversified exports or products.

5.1 The results vary by diversification regime: Economic Report on Africa 2007

At this point, it is worthwhile to recall the five diversification regimes: those countries with little diversification; countries that started but got stuck in the diversification process; those with deepened diversification; backsliders in diversification; and the conflict and post-conflict countries. This report suggests that belonging to a particular regime has more to do with policy and institutional factors at the country level. Consequently, there are different determinants when the discussion is brought to the country level (see table A5.2 for correlation results).

5.1 Faster economic growth could assist in diversification efforts: Economic Report on Africa 2007

The results for Africa, shown in table A5.1, suggest further that as income per capita increases, there is a tendency for African economies to experience improvement in their diversification processes. This is a very significant result and it is in line with other empirical evidence, (see Imbs and Wacziarg 2003), which shows that poor countries tend to diversify at first as their incomes rise, before they later begin to become more specialized. African countries also fit into this theory of the U-shaped stages of diversification.

5.1 Insufficient investments in Africa have hindered the deepening of diversification: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Using the results for Africa shown in table A5.1, it is possible to compute what one could call a turning point in the relationship between investment and diversification.

4.3 Conclusion: Economic Report on Africa 2007
The following conclusions summarize the results of Africa’s export diversification efforts and results:

Inspiration
During my time away from blogging about entrepreneurship in Africa, I have been inspired by the works of my neighbors ( in the Africa blogosphere). So I wanted to highlight a few of the posts that have left me in adoration.

Incremental or not, what Africa needs is Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
Andrew Mack, Founder and Principal of AMGlobal Consulting, blogs about how "Entrepreneurial Infrastructure" more than "Incremental Infrastructure" is what Africa needs and has shown it wants.

A Limited Impact on Private Sector Development
Since the beginning of the process in 1990, the number of privatisations through public flotation has been only 4 per cent of total transactions. Moreover, the trend is downward, confirming the difficulty in African countries of building stock exchanges and capital markets, still often used by governments to raise loan finance rather than capital for industry.

Privatisation: A Challenge for Sub-Saharan Africa
Thirty-eight sub-Saharan African countries have implemented privatisation programmes, following the mid-1980s pattern in the OECD countries: privatisations of small and medium-sized enterprises in the early 1990s; and larger enterprises, including, companies in the utilities sector, by the mid-1990s.

Content for Africa by Africans

About 3 months ago I attended the ICTExpo organized by ICTVillage, the event was quite interesting with a wide range of presentations including one from Google. It was during that event that the permanent secretary in the ministry of information and communication, Dr.Bitange Ndemo made a very important point concerning content, he said “the biggest challenge we have right now is the issue of locally produced content..we need content providers..”, once he finished a lady from South Africa informed him that they had a large amount of content from the space observatory which they were willing to offer for free, her offer was eagerly accepted. I left the event racking my brain over the need for quality local content and how I could play a major part of that process.

Content for Africa by Africans

Post-Annual Meetings Interview with AfDB Chief Economist: Africa needs a business-friendly environment

“African countries need to reduce the high administrative barriers and excessive regulations that result in substantial delays and high transactions costs to firms wishing to invest. Starting a business in most African countries is still relatively costly and getting a licence processed is time-consuming,” says AfDB Chief Economist, Louis Kasekende in an interview granted after the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group, held in Shanghai from 16-17 May 2007.

Post-Annual Meetings Interview with AfDB Chief Economist: Africa needs a business-friendly environment

4.0 The Role of Governments: Microfinance in Africa - Experience and Lessons from Selected African Countries
In several African countries—for example, Ghana, Guinea, Tanzania and Uganda— governments have in the past relied on state-owned banks to extend rural credit and microfinance services.

6.2 Legal and regulatory constraints: Gender Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa 2007
Many African countries are characterized by the coexistence of dual or multiple legal systems, which lead to greater insecurity of women’s legal status, compared with men.

3.2 Financing Development III: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Emerging issues on aid and debt

3.2 Financing Development III: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Emerging issues on aid and debt

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations VI: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Other developments in international trade negotiations

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations VI: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Other developments in international trade negotiations

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations V: Economic Report on Africa 2007
The EPA negotiations

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations IV: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Talks on trade facilitation progressing significantly

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations III: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Positions and prospects in WTO negotiations issue by issue

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations II: Economic Report on Africa 2007
WTO trade negotiations evolving since 2001

3.1 Developments in trade negotiations: Economic Report on Africa 2007
World trade expanded significantly between 2000 and 2005. Total world exports increased from $US6,451 billion in 2000 to $10,393 billion in 2005, an increase of 61 per cent.

2.4 Growth prospects for 2007 and the medium-term outlook: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Africa is expected to grow at a rate of 5.8 per cent in 2007, slightly higher than the rate recorded in 2006 (5.7 per cent) (figure 2.8). Positive growth rates are projected for all subregions led by North Africa (6.6 per cent), East Africa (6.0 per cent), Southern Africa (5.4 per cent), West Africa (4.9 per cent) and Central Africa (3.5 per cent).

2.2 Sectoral performance IV: Economic Report on Africa 2007
The services sector

2.2 Sectoral performance II: Economic Report on Africa 2007
The industrial sector

2.1 Growth performance III: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Higher but more volatile growth in oil-rich African countries

2.1 Growth performance I: Economic Report on Africa 2007

This section examines recent economic performance at the continental and subregional levels. It discusses disparities in growth performance and the factors behind the observed disparities across countries and subregions. The analysis pays particular attention to structural factors such as endowment in natural resources, the role of policies and institutions as well as non-policy drivers of growth, including exogenous factors such as natural calamities, geography, and civil conflicts. The discussion highlights key constraints to growth in Africa and strategies to address these constraints.

2.0 Recent Economic Performance in Africa and Prospects for 2007: Economic Report on Africa 2007

African countries still face the critical challenge of raising the rate of GDP growth and sustaining high growth rates over an extended period in order to accelerate progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While growth has recovered over the past few years, very few countries have achieved and maintained the growth rates necessary to reduce poverty. Africa still tails behind other regions in most measures of human development.

1.7 Conclusion: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Overall, the medium-term outlook for the world economy remains modest.

1.0 Recent Economic Trends and Prospects for 2007: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Developments in the World Economy and Implications for Africa

Overview IX: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Policies to increase diversification

Overview VIII: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Evidence on the determinants and stages of diversification

Overview VI: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Developments in trade negotiations

Overview V: Economic Report on Africa 2007
There are encouraging developments in external development financing but disbursements fall short of commitments.

Overview IV: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Growth prospects for 2007 and the medium-term outlook

Overview III: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Current account balances are driven by developments in the resource sector

Overview III: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Current account balances are driven by developments in the resource sector

Overview II: Economic Report on Africa 2007
Growth in Africa has increased but it is still not enough

Wanted: jobs for Africa’s youth - Business Friendly
In the short term, countries need to do away with policies that hinder investment, notes the World Bank in its report Doing Business in 2006: Creating Jobs. African countries impose the most stringent regulations on entrepreneurs, the Bank reports.

Wanted: jobs for Africa’s youth - Policy Reforms
“For successful poverty reduction, African countries have to be in the driver’s seat,” says World Bank Africa Region Vice-President Gobind Nankani. “Africans know best where the shoe pinches. They should craft their own poverty-reduction strategies based on national realities.”

Wanted: jobs for Africa’s youth - ‘Bad policy’
Since the mid-1990s, economic performance has improved significantly in many African countries, with average annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP) rising steadily from less than 3 per cent in 1998 to 5 per cent in 2005. In theory, according to many economists, this should have led to higher employment.

Black Economic Empowerment, like charity, is not investment
South African businesses have become one of the largest investment blocks in Africa. Many African countries regularly fret that they are losing their local business ownership to their cousins down South. Every sector of South African business is represented in this new scramble to invest; from mining to telecommunications to retail.

African countries on 2007 list of 50 most desirable outsourcing destinations
BusinessWeek’s recent article on rising outsourcing destinations highlights what many African entrepreneurs have proposed for years. Outsourcing to parts of Africa can be a win-win situation.

African designers go global
The International Herald Tribune published a good article about a new generation of enterprising African artisans who are creating cosmopolitan designs referencing Africana.

SMEs - a challenge for African countries
Why SME's are a challenge for African countries

SME's - Africa versus the Far East
Do the Far Eastern countries have an advantage over African countries?

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