African regional conference on population and development ministerial segment : Statement by Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA

Abstract

Statement by Carlos Lopes UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the Africa Regional Conference on Population and Development Ministerial Segment. it is important for our Conference to understand what is propelling Africa’s growth. It is a complex mix of ingredients that include for sure our rich natural resources but it is more than that. Two thirds of Africa’s growth are pulled by internal consumption. Yes, we have a larger middle class than India, a better GDP per capita and more discretionary spending capacity than our Asian sister, which has roughly the same population. We see growth in oil producing countries, but also on the not so endowed, like our host Ethiopia. In fact, many of our growth leaders have few or no significant extractive activity.