4th global review of aid for trade – connecting to global value chains : session 5: aid, trade and the post-2015 Development agenda

Abstract

This talking points highlighted that the key lessons of the past decade is that Africa’s economic growth has not brought about commensurate improvements in terms of inclusiveness, because it was not sufficiently underpinned by authentic economic transformation. Rural development has a fundamental role to play for poverty reduction, improve the food security outlook, and expand employment opportunities in rural areas, thereby keeping under control the pace of urbanization. Re-balancing the terms of Africa’s integration into the global economy requires a strategic approach to trade policy, aiming at harnessing trade opportunities for diversification. This entails concerted efforts to nurture innovative firms, step up Research and Development, foster innovation, technology and skills upgrading. the donor-recipient logic underpinning the MDGs has failed to deliver “mutual accountability” in the global partnership for development, and it has actually raised concerns for the heightened and persistent aid dependency of many developing countries, especially in Africa.