The second ever EU-Africa summit was held in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, in the presence of 67 leaders from the two continents. The two-day summit which started on December 8, 2007, ended without agreement on the key issue of trade. But there was an ambitious action plan and a promise to meet again in 2010.
The European Union [ EU ] is Africa's largest commercial partner, with trade totalling more than 215 Billion Euros in 2006.
Also, Asian economic powers have had one summit or the other with African leaders with the hope of entering into new trade deals with the black continent.
But what is the future of Africa in all these trade deals? What is this Cinderella called Africa getting from these trade summits? What are the real gains to ordinary Africans, the peasant farmers, the small-scale industrialists, and the rest?
Unfortunately, African governments do not have the culture of consulting with their people [ through referendum or public opinion poll ] before making major decisions that will affect their destinies. Well, time will tell if Africa and its teeming population are getting a fair deal from their governments' decisions at the trade summits.
NEPAD:
The New Economic Partnership for Africa Development [ NEPAD ] is a laudable economic instrument, as well as the African Peer Review Mechanism. But the current posture of African leaders towards the attainment of the objectives of NEPAD is indeed worrisome. There is too much of talking in Africa. The politicians in Africa are of a different breed from their counterparts in Europe, Asia US or elsewhere. While other politicians talk and match it with action, Africa politicians talk and match it with more and more talk. However, I draw exception to the likes of President Ellen Johnson Sarleaf of Liberia who is doing a brilliant job in her country.
Some analysts have posited that this is Africa's century. Africa must seize every opportunity to grow and develop.
I personally think that African leaders must put national interest above selfish gains. African leaders must enhance their bargaining powers in matters of international trade negotiations. African leaders must be armed with a clear-cut developmental programmes for their countries with time frame measures.
To drive the machinery of industrialization in Africa, the problem of infrastuctural deficiencies should be systematically tackled. Infrastructures cannot grow in one day, however, the commitment of the various governments on the continent to pursue a gradual and consistent developmental programmes will do a lot to solve the puzzle.
Also, the private sector should be incorporated in the developmental process. This is critical, as no government can handle the challenges of development alone. Public-private-partnership is encouraging, but it shouldn't be at the detriment of the poor masses who are currently being exploited by the capitalist merchants in Africa.
To conclude, I like to summit that governance in Africa must be redefined if the right momentum of economic growth and development would be initiated and sustained.
There must be a clear line drawn between politics and governance.
And the argument that Africa is incapable of development on its own terms would be a topic for public discussion for a long time, until a new generation of Africans emerge on the leadership landscape, who understands the issues and are determined to redefine governance and forge the continent forward.
For now, we can only hope for the best.
Adedayo Adetoye
The European Union [ EU ] is Africa's largest commercial partner, with trade totalling more than 215 Billion Euros in 2006.
Also, Asian economic powers have had one summit or the other with African leaders with the hope of entering into new trade deals with the black continent.
But what is the future of Africa in all these trade deals? What is this Cinderella called Africa getting from these trade summits? What are the real gains to ordinary Africans, the peasant farmers, the small-scale industrialists, and the rest?
Unfortunately, African governments do not have the culture of consulting with their people [ through referendum or public opinion poll ] before making major decisions that will affect their destinies. Well, time will tell if Africa and its teeming population are getting a fair deal from their governments' decisions at the trade summits.
NEPAD:
The New Economic Partnership for Africa Development [ NEPAD ] is a laudable economic instrument, as well as the African Peer Review Mechanism. But the current posture of African leaders towards the attainment of the objectives of NEPAD is indeed worrisome. There is too much of talking in Africa. The politicians in Africa are of a different breed from their counterparts in Europe, Asia US or elsewhere. While other politicians talk and match it with action, Africa politicians talk and match it with more and more talk. However, I draw exception to the likes of President Ellen Johnson Sarleaf of Liberia who is doing a brilliant job in her country.
Some analysts have posited that this is Africa's century. Africa must seize every opportunity to grow and develop.
I personally think that African leaders must put national interest above selfish gains. African leaders must enhance their bargaining powers in matters of international trade negotiations. African leaders must be armed with a clear-cut developmental programmes for their countries with time frame measures.
To drive the machinery of industrialization in Africa, the problem of infrastuctural deficiencies should be systematically tackled. Infrastructures cannot grow in one day, however, the commitment of the various governments on the continent to pursue a gradual and consistent developmental programmes will do a lot to solve the puzzle.
Also, the private sector should be incorporated in the developmental process. This is critical, as no government can handle the challenges of development alone. Public-private-partnership is encouraging, but it shouldn't be at the detriment of the poor masses who are currently being exploited by the capitalist merchants in Africa.
To conclude, I like to summit that governance in Africa must be redefined if the right momentum of economic growth and development would be initiated and sustained.
There must be a clear line drawn between politics and governance.
And the argument that Africa is incapable of development on its own terms would be a topic for public discussion for a long time, until a new generation of Africans emerge on the leadership landscape, who understands the issues and are determined to redefine governance and forge the continent forward.
For now, we can only hope for the best.
Adedayo Adetoye
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