Governing development in Africa - a grassroots perspective African monitor submission to the 4th joint annual meetings of the AU conference of ministers of economy and finance and ECA conference of African ministers of finance, planning and economic development

Abstract

This meeting takes place at a critical moment in the history of the continent when high optimism of an emerging development breakthrough prevails. This breakthrough has been variously described, including by some of the ministers attending this meeting, as a “new dawn”; “a continent whose time has come”; “Africa’s moment”. Some of our leading policy makers, such as Donald Kaberuka, the President of the African Development Bank, are convinced that this moment is not going to be yet another false dawn, as happened at other times, arguing that “the renewed momentum is, this time, well-merited and anchored in solid foundations – a much sounder business environment, a reassessment of Africa’s risk, strong macro-economic fundamental and good progress in the microeconomic area, including increasing productivity at firm level - sufficient to carry the continent forward at the necessary pace…”. Steven Radelet in his book “Emerging Africa” has identified 17 African countries that are leading the way. Incidentally, it is this optimism that we at African Monitor share and are soon launching a campaign to mobilize greater ownership and effective participation in the momentum.